Kuipers, E.J. (1877-1943). Arts and crafts portfolio 1902-1903

Collection of approx. 130 leaves with a multitude of drawn designs of furniture, bags and other arts and crafts, walls, interiors and ornaments in various media, partly signed and dated 1902-1903 and with place names such as Prague, Neuhaus and Spalato, several with stamp of the Kunstgewerbeschule at Prague; 18 original photos in various sizes of various pieces of furniture (incl. 1 duplicate photograph and several signed 'Kuipers' in pencil), and 4 photos of the interior of a room, of which 3 with a gentleman in fancy dress (almost certainly Kuipers himself); and finally a notebook with approx. 179 letters in pen by Kuipers addressed to various correspondents on approx. 100 leaves, dated 15 April 1902 to "Prag, 6 mei '03", occ. with small illustrations, original cardboard, large 4to, together in modern portfolio, large folio.

Little biographical information on the designer and architect E.J. Kuipers appears to be recorded in standard reference works; he is not listed in the RKD database. He is chiefly known as a designer of covers for the periodical Wendingen and as secretary of the Bond van Nederlandsche Architecten in Amsterdam. This beautiful and very special archive reflects his period of study at the famous Kunstgewerbeschule in Prague and contains extensive correspondence. According to the calligraphed title page, the notebook is a memento of literary evenings with friends, with the dedication: "Vertrouw uw gedachten hier aan toe, beschrijf de indrukken in den vreemde en waardeer beproefde vriendschap meer dan spoedig ontwikkelde sympathie". Kuipers recorded his experiences in small handwritin, largely arranged in two columns, in the form of letters to numerous correspondents. Several of the letters are addressed to the artist Willy Sluiter (1873-1949) in Katwijk aan Zee. There are also letters to members of his social circle. "Het gezellige Hoekske - beste vriendinnen en vrienden" [he was the secretary of this little club], Carel Jilleba, "Beste nicht en To", juffrouw Van Loon, "Beste vader", "lieve Jan en Marie", "Waarde Sparnaay", "Waarde heer Sjenneweg", "Waarde vriend LeGrand", "Beste Litteraire", "Waarde Ruttenberg", "Geehrte Frau Prof." etc. etc. No. 171, addressed to "waare heer Tollens", includes a list of furniture designed by Kuipers for his brother's house, the archive includes photographs and several original designs relating to this furniture.