The Robert Catterson-Smith Collection

The amassed works and papers of Robert Catterson-Smith are the contents of the collection.

The collection represents the contents of the family archive which has hither to now been unknown. It encompasses work during Roberts working life. The collection is of interest to the art collector and historians as well as those who’s interests lie in the Arts & Crafts Movement, the Pre-Raphalites, William Morris & Sir Edward Burn-Jones, the early days of the Socialist Movement and the development of Silver & Copper work in the city of Birmingham in the late 1800’s and 1900’s.

This memoir by Catterson-Smith’s grandson in law, Ronald Sly, is a readable and affectionate account of his life and many artistic achievements.

He collaborated with William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones, Philip Webb, Emery Walker, William de Morgan, Walter Crane and others.  

In 1894 William Morris asked him to assist in the preparation of Burne-Jones’s illustrations for the famous Kelmscott Chaucer. The book took four years to finish and was the last great project of Morris’s life. Burne-Jones drawings for the various books published by Kelmscott Press were translated into black and white by Robert Catterson-Smith ready for the wood block cutter W.H. Hooper to prepare the engravings for the Kelmscott letter press.

Catterson-Smith went on to become Head of the Birmingham School of Art and continued to work as an artist and silversmith.

Newly Published:

 Robert Catterson-Smith’s Memoir

“A Little Job For William Morris”

Order Now Email: reception@rcscollection.co.uk

For further information

Robert Catterson-Smith 1853-1938

Access to the online Collection Archive is expected to be available to RCS Collection Members in spring 2016.

To find out more about Collection Membership and how to access the Archive

Email: reception@rcscollection.co.uk