Henry Moore letters archive
Collection
Moore kept up a lively, sometimes prolific correspondence with friends, fellow artists and countless business associates throughout his long career. From the 1950s he employed full time secretarial help - notably Mrs Betty Tinsley - meaning that his papers began to be kept more sytematically. The archive today consists of a broad range of the surviving material, probably in the region of 100,000 items. Early letters are unfortunately scarce, but tend to be the most interesting and include engaging correspondence from such luminaries as Eric Gill, Jacob Epstein and William Rothenstein. Significant bodies of letters over many years exist between Moore and, for example, Kenneth Clark, Herbert Read and Stephen Spender and there are manuscript originals of his early writings on art. Much of the post-war material consists of exhibition and business dealings but a wealth of personal correspondence and ephemera also remains, particularly from the artist's admirers around the world.
Location, facilities and visits
The letters archive is housed in 'Elmwood' on the Perry Green estate. Bona fide researchers and other visitors are welcome by appointment. A computer terminal is provided; photocopying facilities and a camera stand are available if required. Video and audio equipment may also be used. Archive material is usually consulted via an in-house database.
For further information please email