Society of Wood Engravers Archive
Institutional archive of the Society from its foundation to the present day
Overview
The Society of Wood Engravers (SWE) was formed in Britain in 1920. This archive records the history of the organisation which represents the interest of artists working in the medium of wood engraving.
The SWE was established by a small group of artists who were creating work by engraving and printing from wood blocks. What had been a commercial process of print production had become a medium for fine artists and illustrators. The practice became increasingly popular in the 1920s and 1930s before declining in the post-war period. It began to regain popularity in the latter half of the 20th century and the SWE was revived in 1984. Wood engraving is now a thriving artistic practice again and the SWE is flourishing. Its main activity remains the organisation of selling exhibitions featuring members’ work.
Image: A proof print of Eric Gill’s original design of the Society of Wood Engravers logo, 1921
The archive records the SWE’s exhibitions through catalogues, publicity material and sales records. It also includes:
- membership records and correspondence
- records of social activities
- records of the production of the SWE publications
You can search nearly 6,000 items online using the Search link below. The archive can be viewed in person in our Reading Room by making an appointment. If you’d like to bring your students to see some of the archive, enquire about a group visit.
Access the collection
Photography and copyright
You can photograph our collections for personal study and research only. Just ask for a photography permission form when you visit.
If you’re not able to visit us in person, we may be able to send you a scan or photograph of the item instead.
Contact us if you need an image for use in social media, print or online publication, or commercial purposes.
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