Trade catalogue, price list, and three leather swatchbooks
Leicester: Dryad, 1960s. Comprising: Art Cradftwork Needlework. 1966. Catalogue. 216 pages. Printed wrappers. – Price List. 1973/74. 18 pages. Self-wrappers. – Three swatchbooks: Gloving Persians (7 swatches); Morocco Grained Basils (8 swatches); and Willow Grained Calf (5 swatches). Item #410739
In 1907 Harry Hardy Peach (1874–1936) founded Dryad Handicrafts, which made and sold cane furniture. Their showroom was at 42 St Nicholas Street, Leicester. In 1912 they started Dryad Metalworks, the same year the company made deck chairs for the ill-fated RMS Titanic, and in 1918 set up a second offshoot, Dryad handicrafts, to supply cane and other craft materials for use in occupational therapy and schools. By 1936 it was the largest supplier of handicrafts in the world. In 1972 the firm was taken over by Reeves & Sons. Benjamin Fletcher was head of the Leicester School of Art, and a co-founder of Dryad. He introduced Harry Peach to the writings of William Morris and William Lethaby, who were leading members of the Arts and Crafts movement. This resulted in many of the Dryad designs being made in the distinctive “Arts and Crafts” style.
Price: $100.00