WHYTOCK & REID, EDINBURGH CABINETMAKERS
AN ARCHIVE OF MATERIAL RELATING TO EDINBURGH CABINETMAKERS WHYTOCK & REID
£7,800
Auction: 9 December 2009 at 11:00 GMT
Description
31 binders and a box of photographs and drawings dating from c.1890s - 1980s, to include 45 pencil, ink and watercolour drawings various church projects across Scotland including a staircase at Dunblane Cathedral, the lesser room of Cambuslang Church, memorial furniture at Newtown Church, items for Cullen Church; Wardrobes 5 pencil drawings, c.1968-69 relating to wardrobe fitments including a project for Lady Grizelda Balfour, average size 38 by 53cm; Lighting 84 pencil, ink and watercolour drawings depicting a wide range of lighting designs, average size 33 by 24cm; Chairs 94 pencil, ink and watercolour drawings depicting a range of single chairs and small sofas, average size 30 by 23cm; Chests 109 pencil, ink and watercolour drawings of chests, commodes and dressing tables, some shown in situ, average size 33 by 23cm; Library Furniture 77 pencil and ink drawings of open and glazed bookcases, average size 33 by 23cm; Fire surrounds 127 pen, ink and watercolour drawings of fire surrounds and mantles, average size 32 by 24cm; Easy chairs 24 technical drawings on linen-paper, c. 1970's, showing elevations and plans with exact dimensions, average size 30 by 21cm; Church Furniture 148 pencil, ink and watercolour drawings [in 2 folders] of various church pieces including altars, lecterns, memorial plaques, pews, etc., average size 27 by 23cm; Settees & Armchairs 98 pencil, ink and watercolour drawings depicting various designs for settees and armchairs, average size 23 by 32cm; Cabinets 109 pencil, ink and watercolour drawings depicting various glazed and unglazed display cabinets, average size 33 by 23cm; Sideboards 99 pencil, ink and watercolour drawings of various sideboards and tables, average size 33 by 22cm; Chairs 91 technical drawings, mainly of chairs, each complete with elevations, plans and dimensions, average size 29 by 39cm; Tables 174 pencil, ink and watercolour drawings of various dining, side and centre tables [in 2 folders], average size 33 by 23cm; Desks 116 pencil, ink and watercolour drawings of desks, average size 30 by 23cm; Beds 97 pencil, ink and watercolour drawings of various beds and cribs, average size 30 by 22cm; Bedside Tables 89 pencil, ink and watercolour drawings of bedside and hall tables, trolleys, pedestals and revolving bookcases, average size 33 by 23cm; Bureaus 87 pencil, ink and watercolour drawings showing various style of bureau and bureau bookcase, average size 33 by 20cm; Bedroom Suites 85 pencil, ink and watercolour drawings and plans of bedroom suites, average size 38 by 56cm; Dining Room Suites 54 pencil, ink and watercolour drawings and plans of dining suites and boardroom furniture, average size 38 by 56cm; Dining and Lounge Furniture 40 pencil, ink and watercolour drawings of dining, lounge and library furniture, average size 38 by 56cm; Design Sources A collection of magazine clippings showing period interiors and furniture examples, pasted onto card leaves; Catalogue Photographs A large quantity of catalogue photographs of pieces from the company's collections, c. 1950s-60s, including a collection of images from the National Bank project, pasted onto card or paper leaves; majority drawings and photographs filed in ring binders of various sizes, many of the drawings and sketches blindstamped from various locations including John Reid in Glasgow, Whytock & Reid George Street and Charlotte Square in Edinburgh (32)
Footnote
Note: A remarkable archive from Edinburgh cabinetmakers, Whytock & Reid, depicting nearly 100 years of furniture and interior design.
Whytock & Co. was originally formed by Richard and William Whytock in 1807, retailing in drapery and haberdashery goods. Their reputation grew throughout the first half of the nineteenth century and by Richard Whytock's death in 1857 the company had received international recognition in the fields of upholstery, decoration, cabinetmaking and high quality furniture.
In 1876 Richard Whytock & Co. amalgamated with the Reid family upholstery business, then trading in Ayr and Glasgow as well as Edinburgh. Initially they traded under the name of Whytock, Reid & Co. before changing to Whytock & Reid in the 1900's. The partnership was made up of Alexander and William Whytock, the original founder's nephews, and Robert and Hugh Reid, John Reid's sons. The retail premises of the merged firm were consolidated at the Whytock showrooms in George Street, by this time at numbers 9/11. The upholstery workshops remained in Rose Lane, and cabinetmaking was carried out at Reid premises at Bell's Mill, on land acquired in the early 1870s.
The Glasgow operations moved a number of times over the next seven decades, eventually closing in 1939. From this point on the firm concentrated on operations in Edinburgh. It was shortly before this closure that the company moved to their most memorable premises, No. 7 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh - an address they would keep for over 40 years.
During their 120 year history, Whytock & Reid, produced pieces for prestigious projects throughout Scotland. One of the firm's most notable patrons was the eminent architect, Robert Stodart Lorimer. A relationship built up between Lorimer and the designers of Whytock & Reid, who successfully transformed Lorimer's ideas and sketches into working pieces of furniture.
The Whytock & Reid standard of craftsmenship allowed them not only to produce fine pieces for their patron's particular projects, it also gave them the ability to develop ideas for their own stock items. The firm created its own distinctive style over the years, the now renowned "Whytock & Reid look."
The firm's forte was certainly the top-end of the market, the high degree of handwork in the production of its furniture dictating that its products would be "expensive". This has had a favourable outcome in that Whytock & Reid pieces are now intrinsically regarded as high quality and with an increasing rarity value.
The final pieces of the firm's property were eventually dispersed by this house in a 2004 - the success of the sale became a celebration of the achievements of the firm and its eminent position in the Scottish cabinetmaking, upholstery, and decorating tradition. (Smith, Dr. Ian 2004)