Alan Rigby and Enid Rigby (née Greenacre) further prints, drawings and other material, 1920s-1960s, 2024

PXD 1669
R 2481

fonds

1920s-1960s, 2024

Graphic Materials, Drawings, Prints, Objects, Textual Records

9683736

39 drawings - sheet 36 x 47 cm or smaller - Pen, pencil, wash, on paper, tracing paper, board
14 prints - black and white, colour
1 watercolour - 21 x 26 cm - gouache on board
4 printing blocks - 13 x 8 cm or smaller

Sydney-based commercial artists Alan and Enid Rigby (née Greenacre) set up a successful partnership from around 1928 until Alan’s death in 1966, working first from the Manchester Unity Building and then moving to Kyle House in 1931. In the 1930s their business thrived, with Enid specialising in work for fashion retailers and Alan’s skills in scraperboard and pen and ink attracting shipping and cruise lines like P&O as clients.

Alan Rigby was also a significant figure in the 20th century bushwalking movement in New South Wales, as a member of the Mountain Trails and Sydney Bush Walkers clubs.
Reference: Library acquisition file

By descent from Alan and Enid Rigby to their sons Roger and Jeff Rigby.

The collection comprises drawings, sketches, prints, designs and printing blocks for bookplates, and published material, 1920s-1960s. It includes Alan and Enid’s commercial work as well as their personal art.

Also included are 2 publications and explanatory notes by Roger Rigby and Jeff Rigby, 2024.

FOLDER 1
Commercial art, 1920s-1940s. Includes pen and ink fashion illustration, possibly by Enid Rigby, 1920s; artwork for clients including shipping companies and Thomas Dixson, 1930s-1940s; pencil sketch for a bushwalking guide book; and a published book with cover illustrated by Alan P. Rigby, 1945-1946.

FOLDER 2
Personal art, 1920s-1960s. Includes published copy of 'The Sydney Bushwalker', August 1966, featuring a cover design by Alan Rigby and obituary for Alan Rigby on page 19; Christmas card designs, 1920s-1930s; designs for a club badge for The Sydney Bushwalkers Club, approximately 1928-1929.

FOLDER 3
Bookplate samples, 1920s-2000. Includes Alan P. Rigby bookplate, being proof print by Alan Rigby, 1920s, and later print (2000) by Christopher Rigby, grandson of Alan and Enid Rigby; Phyllis Bennet bookplate, being design drawing on tracing paper; Enid Greenacre (Rigby) bookplate, being pencil sketches and prints, 1931.

FOLDER 4
Further designs for bookplates and Christmas cards as well as printed examples, 1930s. Includes design for Doris Allden bookplate, 1930s; pencil sketches for Christmas cards, 1930s; linocut prints for Alan P. Rigby bookplates, 1920s; Alan P. Rigby artwork and print bookplate featuring ship, 1931.

FOLDER 5
Traced pencil sketch [of children at a lunch table] by Enid Greenacre, approximately 1921-1922.

FOLDER 6
Draft pen and wash illustrations by Enid Rigby for a children's book, 1940s (on 9 sheets, 28 x 48 cm or smaller)

FOLDER 7
Pen and wash illustrations by Enid Rigby for McCathie's Retail Store, approximately 1950s, with accompanying notes about the illustration by Roger Rigby (2024), (36 x 47 cm)

FOLDER 8
Camp scene in moonlight, by Alan Rigby, approximately 1920s-30s. Gouache on board (21 x 26 cm.)

PUBLICATIONS BY ROGER RIGBY
The Personal Art of Alan & Enid Rigby, Book II / [Roger Rigby], 2024
An annotated record of commercial and related original artworks created by Alan & Enid Rigby, Sydney commercial artists, 1920s-1960s / Roger Rigby (2024)

OBJECTS (Located separately at call no. R 2481)
Item 1: Copper print block for Enid Greenacre (Rigby) bookplate, 1931
Item 2: Zinc print block for Alan P. Rigby bookplate featuring ship, 1931
Item 3: Linoleum block for Alan P. Rigby bookplate featuring a bush scene, 1920s
Item 4: Woodblock with unfinished design

Access via appointment - Applies to R 2481

Copyright restrictions may apply:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holder