2013/17

This banner was originally used in displays by the Women's Farm and Garden Association. It is made of white canvas with 'WOMEN'S FARM & GARDEN ASSOCIATION (INC) // COURTAULD HOUSE BYNG PLACE LONDON W.C.1.' written across the front in large black paint printed letters and with a length of rope emerging from each end of the banner at the top and bottom with which to affix it. It was used at the Royal Show in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, in 1963. Courtauld House was the clubhouse for the Women's Farm and Garden Association.

1 banner: canvas; rope; good condition.

Letter, MERL to Joan Hodsdon of the Women's Farm and Garden Association, 14 October 2013 – 'Dear Joan, // I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your colleagues for the kind donation of the two WFGA banners to the MERL objectcollection. As I explained when we met, the items will be allocated a unique accession number in due course. Details will also be added to the Museum’s handwritten accession registers, hardcopy accession files, and computerised database. // Please accept my apologies that I did not pass yourcopy of the Object Entry Form to you the other day, which I should have done. There are three copies of this form: The original white form which I retain for my files; the pink copy which I enclose for you herewith; the blue copy which remains with the artefacts until such time as they have been physically numbered. The physical numbering will be carefully undertaken so as to be reversible at a later date if required. With objects like these it is likely to be sewn on, taking care not to damage the fibres of the canvas/cotton in the process. // Thank you again for your generous donation of theseobjects, which make a welcome addition to sit alongside the archival deposits your organisation has made and continues to make with MERL. // Best wishes and many thanks. // Yours, // Dr Oliver Douglas (Assistant Curator)', Email, Joan Hodsdon to MERL, 29 October 2013 - 'Dear Ollie, // Thank you for your letter of 14 October 2013 and the Museum Object Entry Form re the two WFGA banners that were deposited at MERL on 8 October 2013. // I have started to work through the photographs and have come across quite a few of the WFGA stands at shows like the Royal., etc. Several of the photos show a banner but they vary slightly so I would be really grateful if you could check the large banner on white canvas and let me know the exact wording, the layout (1st line, 2nd line) and whether the words have a larger letter at the start of each word. // I realise that this is a bit of an ask but, for conservation reasons, I don't want to scan the photos and some of them are in format which would make it difficult to do so. // With thanks for your help and time. // Joan', Email, MERL to Joan Hodsdon, 01 November 2013 - 'Dear Joan, // Thank you for your email. I have attached a photo of the white canvas banner so you can see the lettering. Please let me know if you need anything else. Any photographs or further information you have on the banners is greatly appreciated! // Many thanks // Christina Avramakis', Email, Joan Hodsdon to MERL, 12 November 2013 - 'Dear Christina // I have now been able to identify the photo in which this banner appears // It was used at the Royal Show, Stoneleigh, in 1963. The photograph is in an album which I am optimistic will eventually be deposited at MERL. The album runs from 1917 to 1966 and contains images of events at Courtauld House, the clubhouse for the Women's Farm and Garden Association, as well as an excellent run of photos of their stands at shows like the Royal and the Dairy show. // Best wishes // Joan'

Fibre, Paint