PREECE, Dorothy Mary (d.1939)

Archive of letters, manuscripts, typescripts and associated materials relating to the ‘Modern Geography’ book series, published by Tutorial Press Ltd (1934–1939)

Single card folder, approx. 240 x 340mm, with 45mm of archival material

An exceptional and comprehensive collection of letters and documents chronicling the work of Dorothy Mary Preece (d.1939), renowned geography teacher and co-author of the first three volumes in the classic ‘Modern Geography’ series (I: Foundations of Geography, II: The British Isles, III: Europe).

The letters deal with all aspects of composing the text, but are particularly rich in information about the use of diagrams and illustrations. A copy of Foundations (second impression, 1939), is included.

Since 1916 Preece had been teaching geography at Crewe County Grammar School, where she had gained a reputation as ‘one of the finest teachers of Geography’ in the country (obit., Geography). The present papers document the extremely involved process of publishing the first three volumes in her major ‘Modern Geography’ series, co-authored with Harold R.B. Wood. Documents date from the inception of the series until Preece’s untimely death in 1939.

The ‘Modern Geography’ series – and especially its first volume, Foundations of Geography – was to dominate the teaching of the subject in the Anglophone world through the middle of the twentieth century, with 2 million copies of Foundation sold by 1972. All three of Preece’s volumes remained in print for many decades, and were aimed at upper school pupils – e.g. those studying for the age-16 ‘School Certificate’ (replaced by the GCE O-Level in 1951).

The earliest documents date from 1934, and show that Preece’s work with Tutorial Press began with an assessment of existing works on the foundations of geography, summarised here. In January 1935 Robert Hutchinson, Press Editor at Tutorial, writes to Preece:

From enquiries which we have received it seems to us that there is a demand for an up-to-date Geography to cover the requirements of the various School Certificate Examinations.

Through 1935 terms were agreed, and Harold Wood joined as co-author. About ⅓ the letters here are from Wood, and ⅓ from Hutchinson (Preece retained many carbons so both sides of the correspondence can often be read). The remainder concern images, promotional materials and geographic information.

The production process was very protracted, in particular owing to complications over the procurement, quality and nature of images and diagrams used in the book, and contemporary political events that resultedin shifting borders. More than 200 letters – with many inclusions, comments, additional notes and pieces of ephemera – detail the struggles to get the books published. Wood and Preece became close during the composition of the works, and there are poignant personal details, especially concerning Preece’s health towards the end of her life.

Generally very good condition; contained in a worn and undersized folder