| Description | The correspondence in this series is varied in content and is of both a professional and personal nature - often covering both within the space of one letter.
The original order of the correspondence was very chaotic. During the cataloguing process, it was re-arranged into a sequence of files organised chronologically. It is clear that this series is not comprehensive, and does not include all the correspondence received by Stamp. For some years such as 1984, there is extensive correspondence, but for others there is only one or two letters. There is also no correspondence for the years 2009 and 2010. It is not clear why particular letters were retained, or why others are missing.
The correspondence in this series was received from a wide range of professionals and institutions within the field of architectural history, but also members of the public. Senders include:
-museums and galleries (e.g.V&A, National Gallery of Scotland)
-periodicals (e.g.The Spectator, The Daily Telegraph, Country Life)
-universities (e.g. University of London, Tufts University)
-societies and charities (e.g. Bath Preservation Trust, Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain, Camden History Society, English Heritage, Arts Council)
-other professionals working in the field (e.g. John Martin Robinson (Mentmore), James Stevens Curl, David Watkins)
-friends (e.g. Anthony Symondson, Francis A Bown, Sandy Stoddart, Mosette Broderick, Colin Amery, Simon Rendall)
-members of the public
The correspondence contains information concerning all Stamp's work (eg. scholarship, journalism, campaigning, graphic design, teaching, broadcasts, and exhibitions), including invitations, arrangements, requests, & responses received in relation to all areas of Stamp's freelance work including:
-asking for his expert opinion
-payment for work
-attendance at meetings
-his role for various societies and trustee boards
-lectures
-teaching
-tours
-broadcasts
-articles authored by Stamp - responses including praise & support, but also correcting facts, relating personal experiences etc.
-events & parties
-responses to ideas / initiatives proposed by Stamp
-christmas cards - often drawn by the sender (often architects/artists/designers)
-congratulations and thank you notes, covering both personal & professional matters
Where the discussion is of a personal nature, many include discussion of mutual friends and colleagues, and cover topics such as:
-religion
-relationships
-politics
-travel
-health |