£90
Gilbert Spencer RA (1892-1979)
Collection of self-designed Christmas cards sent from the artist Gilbert Spencer RA to his friend, aspiring writer Marjorie Freeman.
Gilbert was the younger brother of Sir Stanley Spencer, one of the best-known English artists of the early 20th century, and an influence on the work of later luminaries such as Lucien Freud.
Gilbert formed a lifelong friendship with Marjorie Freeman. They corresponded regularly with each other, including exchanging Christmas cards, which Gilbert designed himself.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Gilbert illustrated a series of tales for children, written by Marjorie. Entitled ‘Flower Stories’, each recounted the story of an individual flower, such as ‘The Primrose’s Story’ and ‘The Daisy’s Story’.
Marjorie – who wrote under the pseudonym Michal Taunt – retired to Gloucestershire, and in the 1970s she entered the stories into a BBC competition.
Gilbert studied at the Royal College of Art and the Slade School of Fine Art, and later became a member of the Royal Academy.
Examples of his work are owned by the Tate Gallery and the RA.
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