Mansfield, Edgar ( 1907- )
An English bookbinder and sculptor, who was born
in London, settled in Hastings (1911) and Napier
(1965), New Zealand, and is presently living in
that country. He studied binding under William
Matthews and design under Elsa Taterka and taught
art and crafts at the Feilding High School from
1929 to 1933, proceeding to London for further
study in 1934. There he taught design and color at
the London College of Printing from 1948 to 1964.
Mansfield was the first foreign member to be
elected to the German Guild (M. D. E.�)
and the first president of the British Guild,
1955-1968. He was also the first president of DESIGNER BOOKBINDERS
. His bindings are to be found in numerous
libraries, including the British Museum Library,
Victoria & Albert Museum, Klingspor Museum, Royal
Library of Stockholm, New York Public Library
Spencer Collection, and the Victoria State
Library, as well as many public and private
collections.
Mansfield's designs, while difficult to evaluate,
are enormously pleasing to view. His bindings are
subtle but forceful, and convey almost a feeling
of tranquility that brings about a common
understanding between artist and viewer.
Considering the trends of today, he has done with
relatively sober means, that which many have
failed to convey with the most elaborate of
devices.
Mansfield is also the author of several articles
dealing with teaching of bookbinding design,
contemporary approach to bookbinding design, as
well as new directions in bookbinding design. (50 )
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