Description:

Both letters were written while Bawden was staying with his wife in a rented flat in Cheltenham. The first, dated 17th November 1945 (“Dear Hindle”), seeks to re-establish relations after the war, reminiscing about their collaboration in a wall painting for the International Building Club Dining Rooms in Park Lane, London (1937-8): “On that job your skill as a painter made all the difference between what I still regard as a successful piece of work, but which, with another person, might have turned out a spanking failure”. One page folded twice. Hindle must have sent an encouraging reply, for Bawden’s second letter, dated 12th December 1945 (“Dear John”), is more relaxed and bantering with much personal information about the author’s activities during the war and shared acquaintances. Bawden gives a lively account of his experiences. He looks forward to being able to move back to his house in Essex (Great Bardfield), which had been occupied through the war by the local Homeguard, and welcoming Hindle as a guest. Three pages folded once, with the original mailing envelope addressed in Bawden’s hand to “L/Cpl John Hindle, HQ, The British Army of the Rhine”.

John Hindle was a student at the Royal College of Art during Bawden’s time as Assistant to the Professor of the Design School, graduating from the College with the ARCA Diploma in Design in 1938. Bawden was in the habit of recruiting promising students to work with him on design projects.

Both letters are written on off-white notepaper in Bawden’s clear and elegant hand, and are in very good, fresh condition with no tears or marks. The envelope, however, is torn and soiled. The letters are housed together in a blue-grey card portfolio.