Red Rose Guild

In October 1920 inspired by the work of William Morris, Margaret Pilkington organised an exhibition in Houldsworth Hall in Manchester, under the banner of 'The Red Rose Guild of Arts and Crafts.' The exhibitors were mainly wood engravers and the 'Society' soon evolved into the Red Rose Guild. This led to the foundation of the Red Rose Guild of Artworkers in January 1921. The name was changed again in the early 1940s to 'The Red Rose Guild of Craftsmen' to reflect its emphasis on craftwork. Margaret Pilkington, its driving force, served on the committee for the first 40 years of the Guild's existence. In 1940 the Guild moved its headquarters to the Whitworth Art Gallery but no exhibitions were held during World War II, although between 1940 and 1942 the Guild did publish a quarterly magazine, 'Crafts', After the war 'Crafts' reappeared as an annual publication, and the Guild began to extend its work. In 1960 it changed its name yet again to the Red Rose Guild of Designer Craftsmen. Other craft guilds appeared in the North of England and fierce competition left the Red Rose Guild becoming largely unsupported. Its last exhibition took place in 1985. Other members included furniture designer Stanley W. Davies (1894-1978), woodcarver Arthur W. Simpson (1857-1922) and embroiderer Kathleen Clarke.

The printing blocks for sale here were used in the production of 'Crafts' from 1947 to 1950.

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