Letter written and signed by architect Owen Jones (1867)

The letter is written and signed by Owen Jones (1809–1874), one of the most influential British architects, designers, and design theorists of the 19th century. He is best known for authoring the seminal work The Grammar of Ornament (1856), a pioneering study of global decorative arts and color theory that fundamentally reshaped Victorian design.

The letterhead address, 9 Argyll Place W (London), was Jones's long-time home and studio. It was from this address that he coordinated major projects and published many of his beautifully detailed, chromolithographed color-plate books.

The 1867 Paris Exhibition Connection

The date on the letter—April 5, 1867— written four days after the grand opening of the Exposition Universelle (1867 Paris World's Fair) on April 1, 1867.

Owen Jones was deeply intertwined with the history of international exhibitions; he had served as the Superintendent of Works for London's Great Exhibition of 1851 and designed the famous interior courts of the Crystal Palace at Sydenham.

Jones writes to a colleague, noting that "Mr Graham" will be in Paris on Monday morning and "Mr Craik" (likely referring to the prominent publisher or an exhibition associate) left the previous night.

He adds a touch of professional regret: "Otherwise I should have been happy to go —"

133mm x 180mm

Laid down onto card; fish moth holes.

R1,500