'The Knox portfolio': resources amassed by Willian Cubbon regarding Knox Guild of Design and Craft, written contact with Archibald Knox himself and related matters

Date(s): 1923 - 1931

Creator(s): various

Scope & Content: Contents include correspondence between Winifred Tuckfield, Secretary of the 'Knox Guild of Design and Craft' and William Cubbon (predominantly incoming from Tuckfield); short notes from Archibald Knox to William Cubbon at the Manx Museum, an original hand painted thank you card by Knox sent to Cubbon in July 1926 acknowledging receipt of 'Crawford's Irish carved ornament from W Cubbon' (his caption on reverse), a newspaper cutting reporting on a 1929 exhibition in Kingston and letter form stonemason Thomas Quayle regarding the design of 'Archie Knox's memorial' (25 February 1939).

A telebram from Winifred in Kingston on Thames to Cubbon dated 25 February 1933 reacts to news of Knox's death and reads, 'Very shocked deepest regret kindly order wreath if not too late in the name of the members of the Knox guild with the words It is the skies benediction I will look for' please see the latest drawings for H.C. memorial are not destroyed. Tuckfield'

In a copy letter from Cubbon to Miss Tuckfield dated 28 February 1933 Cubbon expresses surprise at news that Mr Knox left with her about 3,000 slides. 'what industry he possessed! I believe he had in his house and at his school about a thousand more slides; and only a few weeks ago, he told our Caretaker to come to his house with a wheelbarrow to get them for the Museum!' He requests any slides of Manx crosses or old Manx houses if available and then gives an update on stonecutter's progress on the Hall Caine memorial (designed by Knox) continuing, 'Mr. Knox had a three days' holiday last week, and he had used these days to hurry up the work. I am told that his rooms were littered with these plans just before he died. I am afraid that he had little personal comfort; his domestic affairs were quite unsatisfactory; only his elder brother was in teh house and attended on him.' Cubbon touches on other Knox related matters including the memorial book at Douglas Boys' High School, Knox's recent lecture on Celtic Art and assurance that a wreath of snowdrops with the requested wording was ordered. Cubbon remarks, 'It is interesting to know you have so many of his letters; we kept everything of his, every scrap, in a portfolio, and are wishful to get more.'

Language: English

Extent: 1 folder

Collection: Manuscript Archive

Level: FILE

ID number: MS 05481

Retrieval number: MS 05481 A

Record class: Private

Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.gov.im

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