BRAND, Walter, FRIBA (1872–1959)

Two full notebooks on the history of architecture, created during Brand's time at the Ipswich School of Science and Art

2 vols; 180 x 229mm; 65 and 67 leaves

Architect Walter Brand's (1872–1959) two-volume study of the history of architecture, prepared for his examinations at the Ipswich School of Science and Art, part of his training to become an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (Brand subsequently became a Fellow in 1932).

These elegant volumes are beautifully written and well illustrated: Brand was also a noted topographical artist, and had studied fine art at Heatherley School of Fine Art and Bishop’s Stortford College.

At the time of these studies Brand was assistant to Brightwen Binyon (1846–1905), but in 1897, with his RIBA qualification in hand, he set up his own practice in Leicester. Soon he was in partnership with Kenneth Drew Edwards and Percy Kenneth Branson as Brand, Edwards & Branson. Another well known collaborator was John Shewell Corder (1857–1922). Brand designed several houses in Leicester, Ipswich and Felixstowe. His most famous work was the wholesale market at Leicester, which opened in 1902. Though demolished in 1973, the sculptural entrance panels were preserved and have been remounted on the site.

The two volumes cover an exceptional range of time-periods and building styles, with the first volume commencing with French mediaeval architecture and concluding with English Gothic Revival. As the photographs of these volumes will make clear, there are many fine illustrations by Brand, with plans and outlines, maps and many sculptural details. Highlights include accounts of Notre Dame in Paris, the evolution of 'crockets' (Gothic foliate decorations), and extensive illustrated accounts of classical buildings in the second volume.

Both volumes are in very good condition; limp black-stained goat-skin binding with gilt tooling and marbled endpapers; tiny stationer's label to the inside cover of the first volume (S.Smith & Smith, Ipswich). Numerous inserts throughout.