Maggs Bros.

Fine, frame lightly rubbed at extremities. Paper label pasted to rear of frame with printed text ‘Board of Education / Examinations in Art, 1927’ with Edward H. Mann’s name and details entered in manuscript.

A charming pastoral illuminated manuscript of Edmund Blunden’s poem The Waggoner by Edward H. Mann, with multicoloured green and blue border with gilt highlights embellished alternatively with roses, acorns and, perhaps, periwinkles, around five miniatures of horses and scenes of rural life. The five stanzas are written out in a fine and clear calligraphic hand, with large gilt initials decorated with leaf sprays. The illuminator, Edward H. Mann (1900 - 1961) taught at the Bournville School of Arts and Crafts in Birmingham for almost thirty years, his work shows the clear influences of Edward Johnston and Graily Hewitt. To judge by the label pasted to the rear, this piece was submitted for Mann’s art examination, likely while studying at the Bromsgrove School of Art.