Hostess book

Classification(s):
Leather
Date: c.1951 - 1976
Organisation: Leathersmith
Dimensions:
26 × 202 mm (2.6 × 20.2 cm)
Medium: Leather
Object number: L40A
Place of Production:England
DescriptionLeathersmith “Ma Table” hostess book in original gold gift box. Made in England. The hostess book is covered in red leather with gold detailing. The pages allow the hostess to plan a seating arrangement and a dinner menu. Label to end of box reads “Hostess Book FH3 LH Red”. ILEA number written on inside back cover and on box.
ProvenanceThis object was originally acquired for the Inner London Education Authority’s (ILEA) ‘Circulating Design Scheme’ collection.

The collection was instigated by the London Country Council (later the Greater London Council) and the Council of Industrial Design (COID). The collection’s original purpose was concerned with the teaching and dissemination of modern, ‘good design’.

The collection was established in 1951/52 as the ‘Experiment in Design Appreciation’, later renamed the ‘Circulating Design Scheme’.

The Circulating Design Scheme lent boxed showcases to London schools. The showcases contained handling objects, material samples and interpretation on a specific subject.

COID withdrew its involvement in the Scheme in 1957. After which time, it was managed exclusively by the London County Council from 1957-1963.

After the administrative restructuring of London authorities, the Scheme was jointly managed by the Greater London Council and the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA) from 1963 – 1976.

The Scheme was operational until 1976 when the collections were withdrawn from circulation. ILEA was abolished in the late 1980s and the collection was donated to Camberwell College of Arts in 1989/90.

ILEA was responsible for secondary and tertiary education in the inner London boroughs, this included Camberwell.