Eye - 14 July 2017
From a Quaker collection to aspirations
Quaker collection catalogued
A Friend’s bequest of Quaker books and printed ephemera has been catalogued and made available in the Rare Books Department of Cambridge University Library.
David Hall (1947-2015) was former deputy librarian at the University Library and a collector of books on Quaker history. In 2016 material from his extensive collection, ranging in date from 1658 to 2011, was added to the Library’s holdings.
In an article for the Cambridge University Library Special Collections blog, rare books specialist Liam Sims wrote: ‘During nearly forty years in the Library [David] took charge of several large building projects, notably the Rotherham Building (housing the Tea Room) and the extension now occupied by the Rare Books and Manuscripts departments.
‘A generous friend and a donor to many institutions, it was David’s wish that the Library receive those of his Quaker books not already in its collections. Around 500 titles were chosen, including over 250 pre-1800 English editions and many nineteenth-century biographical works, as well modern academic titles. The collection is rich in provenance and a number were once part of early Friends’ Meeting House libraries.’
The collection features treasures such as Jonas Dell’s A voyce from the temple, published in 1658, and several works by Robert Barclay, including the 1738 Danish language edition of his Apology for the true Christian divinity.
Liam Sims continued: ‘The collection is a significant addition to the Library’s existing holdings of religious material… The contribution its books will make to scholarship in the coming years is a fitting memorial to their donor, who will be remembered fondly by his colleagues for many years to come.’
Readers in the Rare Books Department will now be able to gain access to the new additions and a selection are on display in the library’s entrance hall until 29 July.
Liam Sims told Eye that ‘other books from David’s Quaker collection already held by us were passed, at his request, to Dr Williams’ Library [in London], of which he was a trustee’.
Art and aspirations
Creative Quakers are reflecting on four years of the Quaker Arts Network (QAN).
QAN is a volunteer-run, informal group that aims to ‘develop a community of Friends interested in the arts’; encourage, support and explore ‘the use of arts for Quaker outreach and spiritual growth’; and to celebrate and publicise the work of Quaker artists.
Linda Murgatroyd, of Kingston and Wandsworth Area Meeting, told Eye that the group ‘wants to take stock and review priorities for the future’.
She spoke of what the group has accomplished since its first AGM in 2013: ‘The past four years have seen many firsts – focusing primarily on the visual arts and on exhibitions at the newly-refurbished Friends House.’
The first exhibition held in The Light at Friends House was by Judith Bromley Nicholls in 2015 and attracted approximately 1,000 visitors in twelve days.
In 2016 The Light also hosted Echo Chamber by Fiona Meadley and friends, an exhibition of recordings and photographs of conscientious objectors.
Exhibitions have appeared in the corridors of Friends House too, featuring the work of John Perkin, Holly Rees, Naomi Lethbridge and Jill Green.
The Network has also held events around the country, with another planned for 28 October at Woodbrooke. Linda explained: ‘These have enabled us to build fellowship and connections, creating, discussing and worshipping together.’
Linda explained: ‘QAN projects are organised by project groups, under the loose umbrella of a QAN committee.
‘So far most of these projects have been in the visual arts, where there had been a big gap, but QAN members are also interested in musical, theatrical, poetic and other arts. With the sad demise of the Leaveners some Friends may wish to consider using the QAN umbrella as a base for new projects or interest groups, including in different regions.’
So, what are the aspirations for the next four years? The Network is seeking insights to help shape this vision: ‘A short questionnaire (ten questions) has been developed by Rebecca Bellamy to find out what Friends would like of QAN in the future. How might it best encourage and support using the arts for Quaker outreach and spiritual growth and develop our community? What sort of activities would you be keen on, and what might you have to offer?
‘It is available on the QAN website at www.quakerarts.net/pages/quest.html, and we would welcome responses [by 19 July] from any Friends interested in the arts.’
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