John Wickens’ Scrapbook of Walter Battiss materials (C1912; 1947-1994) (MSS Acc 140)

Abstract

John Wickens’ Scrapbook of Walter Battiss materials (c1912, 1947-1994) (1 Box, 0.1 linear metres)

The John Wickens’ Scrapbook of Walter Battiss materials was donated to the Unisa Library Archives by John’s sister, Mrs. Pat Franklin of Cape Town, in 2001. John Wickens, a friend of Battiss and a librarian by profession, died circa 2000. Wickens had lovingly kept a Scrapbook on the life and artistic career of his friend Walter Battiss (1906-1982).

Walter Battiss started his teaching career at the Pretoria Boys’ High School in 1936. He married Grace Anderson, a well-known art-educationalist, in 1940 and moved to Giotto’s Hill, Menlo Park, Pretoria, where he stayed until his death. Battiss was appointed as the first professor and Head of the Department of History of Art and Fine Arts at Unisa in November 1964. He retired in 1971 and in the same year, Walter Battiss was awarded an Honorary DLitt et Phil degree in recognition of his contribution to the development of art and art appreciation in South Africa. Prof Walter Battiss was an enthusiastic traveler who loved visiting islands, Europe, USA, UK, Africa and the Middle East. Battiss held many solo exhibitions in South Africa and abroad. An excellent correspondent, Battiss wrote many letters to his friends in South Africa, including to John Wickens. Walter Battiss died at the age of 76 at his holiday home in Port Shepstone.

The numerical order of the items in the inventory reflects the original order within the Scrapbook. The contents of the Scrapbook (c1912, 1947-1994), consist of illustrated correspondence and envelopes, art catalogues, poetry, invitations to art exhibitions, stamps, Fook Nooks, press cuttings, photographs of Battiss, sketches and a 1982 poster AprilFooks Day. The archival materials are of great research value to scholars interested in Battiss’ oeuvre, as well as in the development, history and teaching of twentieth-century South African art.