Angela Reeves Collection, 1960s-2008 | University of Northampton Archive

By Phil Oakman, Maggie Peach, Lucy Culverhouse

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Collection Overview

Title: Angela Reeves Collection, 1960s-2008

Predominant Dates:1970s - 1990s

ID: AR/01/Gra

Primary Creator: Reeves, Angela

Extent: 0.0

Date Acquired: 10/06/0009. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Angela Reeves, Design, Graphics, Reeves, Angela, The University of Northampton Angela Reeves Collection

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This series of design ephemera and memorabilia was collected by Angela Reeves, 1942-2008 and kindly donated by her family.

The collection contains works designed by Angela as well as ephemera and memorabilia relating to all aspects of graphic design collected by her.

Early drawings and sketches by Angela date back to her school and college days. A number of the drawings that she produced indicate that they were submitted as part of a portfolio for entrance to the London School of Printing and Graphic Arts.

Later designs reflect both her freelance work and that carried out while employed by companies such as British European Airways, the BBC, Royal Mail, New York University, Chermayeff and Geismar, Ilford and the Torin Corporation. Many publications relating to the industry were collected and retained by Angela over her life time and form part of this collection. These include pamphlets, booklets, annual reviews and promotional material published by Newell and Sorrel (Utopian Papers), Pentagram Design and the Wynkyn de Worde Society.

Also forming part of the collection are news stories, memorabilia and ephemera that relate to people and events that featured in Angela's life. The people include Marcel Breuer, Claes Oldenberg and F.H.K. Henrion while the events include the 1975 American bicentenial exhibition at the British Museum and the 1968 Mexican Olympics.

Collection Historical Note

Angela had a solid career in corporate graphic design and she kept pretty much everything from her career - from all her exercises at Foundation at Chelsea College , through most of her work at the London College of Printing in the early 60's. She then went straight into working for BEA and other corporate organisations, was self employed for some time, was president of the Design Research Unit, worked with Chermayeff and Geismar in New York 68 - 72; ran the BBC Educational books design section; worked for Royal Mail in stamp commissioning through the 80's and early 90's and then went back to New York to work on the design standards of the Smithsonian Museums again for Chermayeff and Geismar. She also worked a lot at Exeter and Brighton supporting design student portfolios.

Biographical note created by family member.

Subject/Index Terms

Angela Reeves
Design
Graphics
Reeves, Angela
The University of Northampton Angela Reeves Collection

Administrative Information

Repository: University of Northampton Archive

Accruals: We do not expect that there will be major accruals to this collection but the University would welcome the chance to discuss any further potential donations of records relating to Angela Reeves or graphics and design more generally.

Access Restrictions: All items are accessible

Use Restrictions:

Normal copyright restrictions apply

The University of Northampton takes copyright seriously and only makes content available in its Archive Catalogue in accordance with current UK legislation.

All reasonable effort is made by The University of Northampton to obtain copyright holders’ consent before publishing the images represented in our Archive Catalogue. We would like to ask that any copyright owners who are not properly identified in our Archive Collections contact us so that we may make the necessary corrections or removals.

Acquisition Source: Kindly donated and supported by Camilla Hale and Professor Adam Reeves.

Acquisition Method: Donation.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: Folder containing drawings, sketches and designs, 1950s-1960s],
[Box 2: Folder containing drawings, sketches and designs, 1960s],
[Box 3: Folder containing drafts of work, 1960s],
[Box 4: Folder containing drawings, sketches and designs, 1960s],
[Box 5: Box containing Angela's artistic tools and ephemera, 1961-2000],
[Box 6: Box containing Pentagram publications and examples of typefaces., 1970-1998],
[Box 7: Box containing different publications on the subject of typography, 1957-1991],
[Box 8: Box containing a mix of publications relating to design - graphic and fashion., 1971-1998],
[Box 9: Box containing publications relating to work by various designers, 1945-1996],
[Box 10: Box containing publications and ephemera relating various companies and Angela Reeves, 1956 - 2009],
[Box 11: Box containing material relating to Claes Oldenburg, 1969-1970],
[Box 12: Box containing Angela's Curriculum Vitae and certificates, 1976-2006],
[Box 13: A tied cardboard folder holding items relating to the Touch Exhibition, September 1999],
[Box 14: Box containing letters, drawings and examples of work, 1960s-2006],
[Box 15: Box containing 4 books, 1961-1982],
[Box 16: Box containing various items relating to company policies, and some designs by Angela and others., 1997-1999],
[Box 17: Box containing two companies' design guidelines, 1965-1986],
[Box 18: Box containing ephemera from graphic design companies, 1964-2004],
[Box 19: Box containing annual reports, design guidelines and other graphic design ephemera, 1972-1999],
[Box 20: Box containing ephemera from companies that specialise in engraving and paper production and ephemera from events, 1964 - 1999],
[Box 21: Portfolio containing examples of Angela's work, 1962-1996],
[Box 22: Box containing memorabilia relating FHK Henrion and profiles of designers, 1987-1991],
[Box 23: Box containing a mixture of publications relating to many aspects of design, 1964-2004],
[Box 24: Slides, 1996],
[Box 25: Slides, [1996]],
[Box 26: Slides and other ephemera, [1984-]],
[Box 27: Box containing exhibition catalogues, ephemera from the Mexican Olympics, some articles and ephemera, 1968-1975],
[Box 28: Box containing items relating to design research and guidelines, 1967-[1974]],
[Box 29: Box containing booklets that relate to a broad range of design topics and several booklets unrelated to design., 1967-1984],
[Box 30: Box containing New York University Publications, 1969-1973],
[Box 31: Box containing New York University Publications, 1969-1971],
[Box 32: Box containing examples of Angela's work and other ephemera, 1920-1962],
[Box 33: Box containing exhibition catalogues and photographs, annual reports and design guidelines, 1970-1973],
[Box 34: Box containing company publications that Angela designed, 1971-1979],
[Box 35: Box containing examples of Angela's work, 1962-1996],
[Box 36: Box containing a red folder holding design work by Angela, personal and professional correspondence and other ephemera, 1981 - 2008],
[Box 37: Box containing Angela's sketch books, stamps and framed pictures, 1959-1993],
[Box 38: Portfolio containing examples of Angela's work, 1965-1983],
[Box 39: Folder containing certificates, diplomas and a poster, 1964-1991],
[Box 40: Envelope entitled Graphics Collection, 1984],
[Box 41: Tube containing 18 Torin Exhibition drawings, 1974-1979],
[[information restricted]],
[Box 43: Box containing three folders of typefaces, 1973],
[Box 44: Box containing the Smithsonian Design Guidelines, 1998],
[Box 45: Two paintings, 1967],
[All]

Box 20: Box containing ephemera from companies that specialise in engraving and paper production and ephemera from events, 1964 - 1999

The box contains invitations, information and examples of work from companies that specialise in engraving and paper production. It also contains a monograph of examples of trademarks created by Chermayeff & Geismar Inc. Received by the University in a separate plastic sleeve, within the container, were items 9-17. These consist of information from exhibitions, conferences and memorials. Items 18-23 were received by the University in a plastic wallet and are examples of engraved letterheads. The items in box 20 were received by the University in the same container as the items in box 19.

Condition: Good

Location: A3 - c (Archive racking)

Related to: AR/01/GRA/019

Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020

Item 1: Exhibition Invitation, 1997: A white envelope, addressed to Angela Reeves at Chermayeff & Geismar, franked New York, 21 Oct 1997, from Crane Business Papers. The envelope is stamped with an engraved florescent orange stamp of the word 'Louisiana'. Inside the envelope is another envelope that has more stamps on it and text on the back explaining about Crane's new announcement envelopes. Inside this, there is a card that has several brightly coloured engraved stamps on the outside and a bright orange inside, where it informs that the artwork in the package is taken from early Mardi Gras invitations. Inside the card are four more stamped pieces, one of which is the invitation to the 1997 Engraved Stationery Manufacturers Association Award Competition during the AIGA National Design Conference in New Orleans. Crane Business Papers were a sponsor of this conference. The second is the RSVP card and an addressed envelope to send it back. The fourth is a piece of paper has information on it about Crane Paper and the Engraved Stationery Manufacturers Association.; Condition: Good; Related to: AR/01/GRA/020/2, AR/01/GRA/020/3; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/1
Item 2: Exhibition Invitation, 1997: This item is a duplicate of item 1 in this box, the difference being that the envelope has not been opened.; Condition: Good; Related to: AR/01/GRA/020/1, AR/01/GRA/020/3; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/2
Item 3: Examples of engravings, 1997: A pale pink A5 sized envelope made from thin paper, stuck down with a circular engraved sticker with the words 'New Orleans Waltz' on it. Inside the envelope is a card, decorated with an engraving, welcoming the reader to the Engraved Stationery Manufacturers Association exhibition. Accompanying the card are four reproductions of Mardi Gras ball tickets that honour the tradition of engraving. Each reproduction is on a separate card and are all different shapes; one is a triangle, one oval, one a hexagon and one a rectangle.; Condition: Good; Related to: AR/01/GRA/020/1, AR/01/GRA/020/2; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/3
Item 4: Touch, 1997: An envelope, slightly larger than A5 size, addressed to Angela Reeves at Chermayeff & Geismar, New York and franked 13 Nov 1997, Brooklyn, New York. On the back is the sender's address: AIGA c/o Continental Anchor, Long Island City, New York. Inside there are three cards providing information about an exhibition called 'Touch'. Each card is made from translucent, brightly coloured paper, folded into four, to make cards, slightly larger than A5. Each has a picture of a hand on the front, pointing to a silver dot. The orange card is an invitation to a gala reception, on 03/12/1997, of the Touch exhibition from the American Institute of Graphic Arts and Continental Anchor Ltd. The red card is a list of participants. Chermayeff and Geismar are listed in this card. The yellow card gives a little information about the exhibition, celebrating the beauty of engraving and fine paper.; Condition: Good; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/4
Item 5: Crane & Co. Means Business, 1987: A narrow, spiral bound booklet with the title in bright pink and green lettering on the front. The front cover has a triangular flap, made to look like an envelope. The booklet is a series of illustrations, information about and examples of Crane & Co.'s letterhead products and paper. Each section of information in sandwiched between an example of an envelope made by Crane & Co. On the back cover are the words, 'Design: Chermayeff & Geismar Associates'.; Condition: Good, some water stains on the front; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/5
Item 6: Chromolux Friendship Collection, [1980s-1990s]: Numbers 2,3,4,6 and 7 of a collection of motifs from a series of 8 historical friendship pictures. A company called Zanders are the producers of this collection and used them as part of their advertising for Chromolux - high quality cast coated papers and boards from Zanders. Each example is printed on an A4 sized card, in an A4 paper cover that has a hole cut out in the middle so that the motif can be seen. Each motif is an example of the colourful, often embossed and richly decorated cards sent to friends in the 19th century, often for New Year greetings. There is information about the collection and the paper on the back of the card, written in four languages.; Condition: Good; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/6
Item 7: Champion Choices, 1997: An A4 sized card folder containing examples of different colours and textures of paper that Champion International Corporation produce. Inside the folder, on one side are nine small flaps, with the name of the paper on the flap, and underneath, an example of the paper and a short explanation. On the opposite page are nine small booklets that show more examples of the paper.; Condition: Good; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/7
Item 8: AR 1999, 1999: An A4 sized, spiral bound, monograph with the title, "AR 1999". The monograph shows trademarks that have been developed by Chermayeff & Geismar Inc. Every page on the left hand side is black with a small photograph of a person's face in the centre. Every page on the right hand side is white with a trademark printed, stuck in or photocopied. The last page in the book is a list of the employees that have contributed to the designs.; Condition: Good; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/8
Item 9: A Paul Rand Retrospective, 1996: A small concertinaed pamphlet that was created for an exhibition that ran between 4th October and 8th November at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. There is a picture of a green leaf on the front and the words 'A Paul Rand Retrospective. Designer Illustrator Educator Author'. Each page of the pamphlet has a year at the top, starting with his birth year, 1914, skipping to 1935 and then going up in 5 year increments until 1965. Each page details his education, achievements, work and exhibitions during that time period. Underneath this, there are colour pictures of examples of his work from the period.; Condition: Good; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/9
Item 10: Mr Eric Gill Letters to an Apprentice, 1995: An A5 sized booklet with a black cover and a photograph of David Kindersley. The first page contains the title: 'David Kindersley 1915 - 1995. Mr Eric Gill. Letters to an Apprentice'. It was first published by Cardozo Kindersley, in October 1995 on the occasion of the service of thanksgiving for the life and work of David Kindersley, in London. It was then presented as a keepsake in November 1995 to the Wynkyn de Worde Society of which David was a member for 35 years. The booklet contains several letters from Eric Gill to David 1936-1939, including some drawings by him and pictures of the original letters.; Condition: Good; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/10
Item 11: Thirteenth Triennial of Milan 1964, 1964: A booklet with a brown paper cover with the words 'Leisure', 'Thirteenth Triennial of Milan 1964' and 'Switzerland' on the front in black print. The booklet is A4 length, but just over half the width. The booklet's theme is leisure in Switzerland. Each page looks at an aspect of leisure, in some quite abstract ways. The last page of the booklet reads: 'Thus, our contribution to the 13th Triennial in Milan is a rest-room and this brochure. On behalf of the Swiss Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs: Hans Fischli'. Tucked inside the front cover is another, smaller booklet related to the 13th Triennial in Milan.; Condition: Good; Related to: AR/01/GRA/020/12; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/11
Item 12: Tredicesima Triennale di Milano, 1964: A small orange booklet with the front page written in Italian with the sub-title, 'Esposizione internzionale delle arti decorative e industriali moderne e dell'architettura moderna'. It also has the date 12 June / 27 September. Inside is two plans of the exhibition hall and an introduction to the exhibition, written in four languages. It explains that the Milan Triennale was the centre for the renewal of modern decorative, industrial arts and modern architecture, since 1924. It explains that the theme is 'Leisure' and that each participating country will produce a tableux, by means of photographs, works of art or other objects. The back page of the booklet provides a map and some information about the venue.; Condition: Good; Related to: AR/01/GRA/020/11; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/12
Item 13: Designers in The Arts Club, 1989: A leaflet, A4 size, folded in half. It is advertising an exhibition for the work of Milner Gray and other designer members of The Arts Club, to celebrate Milner Gray's ninetieth birthday, 17th October - 17th November 1989. On the back page is some information about Milner Gray and a list of the other design members of The Arts Club.; Condition: Good; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/13
Item 14: Ernest Hoch 1913-1985, 1985: The obituary of Ernest Hoch, written by Michael Twyman in June 1985. It is an A4 sized, 4 page booklet that recalls the life of Ernest, who made major contributions to the theory and practice of typographic design and graphic design education. It also contains three photographs of him. Twyman and Hoch both worked in the Department of Typography and Graphic Communication at the University of Reading.; Condition: Good; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/14
Item 15: Transatlantic Shop Talk, 1978: A two page A4 letter sent from Lesley Murray, the RIBA Conference Secretary. The letter is regarding the 'Transatlantic Shop Talk' run by the Royal Institute of British Architects, on the 3rd March 1978. The letter gives details about the time and place of the talk and attached is the revised timetable to the conference.; Condition: Good; Related to: AR/01/GRA/020/16, AR/01/GRA/020/17; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/15
Item 16: Transatlantic Shop Talk, 1978: Four pieces of A4 paper stapled together providing short biographies of the speakers and visiting IDCA Board Members at the 'Transatlantic Shop Talk' one day conference in March 1978. One of the biographies is of Ivan Chermayeff, who was the partner at the company Chermayeff & Geismar, where Angela -worked between 1969 and 1973.; Condition: Good; Related to: AR/01/GRA/020/15, AR/01/GRA/020/17; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/16
Item 17: Transatlantic Shop Talk, 1978: A membership list for the 'Transatlantic Shop Talk' one day conference in March 1978. There are four pieces of A4 paper stapled together showing a list of names, in alphabetical order, a long with there profession and place of work. Ivan Chermayeff, who was one of the partners at Chermayeff & Geismar where Angela worked between 1969 and 1973, is listed, as is Angela who is described as 'Graphic Designer, RMDA'.; Condition: Good; Related to: AR/01/GRA/020/15, AR/01/GRA/020/16; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/17
Item 18: Writing paper, 1996: An example of A4 writing paper. The letterhead is a black and white drawing of the Smithsonian Institution with the name and address underneath it. At the bottom of the page is '150 1846-1996 Smithsonian'. This was received by the University in a plastic wallet with five other examples of writing paper and letterheads, which are items 18-23.; Condition: Good; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/18
Item 19: Engraving, [1996]: A piece of brown card, between the sizes of A4 and A5. In the centre is a gold engraving of an eagle's head with three stars above it and surrounded by a decorative crest. The words 'American Bank Note Company' appear around the eagle. This was received by the University in a plastic wallet with five other examples of writing paper and letterheads, which are items 18-23.; Condition: Good; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/19
Item 20: Writing paper, [1996]: An example of cream coloured, A4 writing paper from the company 'Karen Associates'. The letterhead is embossed, in colour, with a picture of a feather and the company name below the picture. The company's contact details appear at the bottom of the page. On the back of the paper, which is white, are the words 'Fine Arts sample shown to demonstrate superior quality. Copy or use strictly prohibited'. These words are printed back to front. This was received by the University in a plastic wallet with five other examples of writing paper and letterheads, which are items 18-23.; Condition: Good; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/20
Item 21: Writing paper, [1996]: An example of cream coloured, A4 writing paper from the company 610 Park Avenue. The letterhead is an engraved, small gold oval with four Roman figures depicted, and the company name written in gold below it. The company contact details are in gold at the bottom of the page. This was received by the University in a plastic wallet with five other examples of writing paper and letterheads, which are items 18-23.; Condition: Good; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/21
Item 22: Writing paper, [1996]: An example of A4, white writing paper from the company Elizabeth Watson Inc. The letterhead is a red, engraved circle, with the letters EW within it. Underneath this is the company name printed in black ink. At the bottom of the page are the company's contact details. This was received by the University in a plastic wallet with five other examples of writing paper and letterheads, which are items 18-23.; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/22
Item 23: Writing paper, [1996]: An example of A4, white writing paper from the company Winter Capital International LLC. The letterhead is the company name in dark grey print at the top left side of the page, and in the top right-hand corner of the page is an engraved snowflake. About two-thirds of the way down the page is a water mark that says, 'Cranes Crest 100% Cotton'. This was received by the University in a plastic wallet with five other examples of writing paper and letterheads, which are items 18-23.; Condition: Good; Unique Identifier: AR/01/GRA/020/23