Bookbinding began as a hobby for Anthony Gardner (1887-1973), but following his retirement as a Chief Structural Engineer in the Ministry of Works in 1953 he established his own bookbinding and restoration firm. Gardener was also a self-taught engraver and calligrapher.

The papers of Anthony Gardner including:

• 26 letters, 41 postcards and 8 accounts, 27 July 1953-Dec. 1967, with two proofs of a bookplate designed by Gardner for Dr. George Tee, in a half-leather album bound Aug.-Sept. 1964, and prefaced by a calligraphic 'Reverse Spiral Apologia' of mirror writing. The binding is mentioned in D.A. Harrop, 'Craft binders at work II: Anthony Gardner', The Book Collector, 22 (1973), p. 174
• 27 letters, 28 postcards from Gardner (some jointly with Mary Parker) and 2 accounts, 26 Oct. 1967-8, Oct. 1973, with a copy of Gardner's own bookplate and a proof of the 'Bibliopegists' Hippocratic Oath' composed by Gardner and printed by Dr. George Tee, 1971, in a half-leather album, bound Feb. 1973, with a calligraphic monogram (AG, GT) on the front cover.

Given to the Library in 1982.

Entry to read in the Library is permitted only on presentation of a valid reader's card (for admissions procedures see http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/services/admissions/).

A description is available in the Library, where there is also a card index to unpublished catalogues.

Bindery journals and notebooks of Anthony Gardner (MSS. Eng. misc. d. 888-93, e. 829).

See scope and content.

Bookbinding

Calligraphers

Gardner | Anthony | 1887-1973 | bookbinder

Tee | George | fl 1964-1982