CRANE, Walter (1845-1915). Artist and Book-illustrator.
"THE DRESS IS ON QUITE MODERN LINES"
Autograph Letter Signed ("Walter Crane") to Montague Marks, describing a dress designed by Crane.
2 pages large oblong 8vo on paper with Arts and Crafts style letterhead and his punning design of a crane. 13 Holland Street, Kensington, 10 June 1904.
An interesting letter describing the dress in great detail, written to the author of Home Arts and Crafts, which had been published a year earlier.
"I find yours of the 3rd with the photograph of my dress design, on my return from a week's absence on the continent. The dress (of which working-drawings were shown at the Dress Designers' Ex) was made & embroidered by Miss Edith Swinhoe of 10, King St. Kensington Square. The red material was one of the new fibrous materials introduced by Mrs. Ernest Hart. The embroidery was in applique linen, black on white, the pocket & belt of black velvet. The blouse with a stencilled pattern. In its general form the dress is on quite modern lines - the graceful 'bolero' type lending itself to much variety of effect & artistic treatment both to colour & ornament."
The letter has been researched through the Victoria & Albert Museum, and a photocopy of a picture of the dress, bearing the hallmarks of arts and crafts design, is enclosed. The picture originally appeared in Arts and Crafts magazine, crediting Walter Crane with the design and Edith Swinhoe with the execution. We are not aware that Crane designed any other dresses.
Some minor soiling on the verso along the fold.
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