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Sunday 7 April 2013

The Probert Scrapbook (1): Its Rediscovery

Bobbingworth Church - before the Victorian rebuild
The Essex Society for Archaeology and History has recently deposited in the Essex Record Office a scrapbook of Essex church drawings and photographs by the Victorian, Charles Probert. 

ERO A13366 is described as an “Album of cuttings, prints, photographs and drawings relating to Essex churches and especially to their restoration, compiled in the 1850s perhaps by T J Griffinhoofe, and formerly in the possession of Charles K Probert of Newport (bookplate).   [Revd Thomas J Griffinhoofe was Vicar of Arkesden from 1859 until his death in 1869, having previously served there as curate under his father.  When proving his father’s will in 1859 he was described as being ‘of Newport’].”

Andrew Smith reported on its rediscovery in 2011 in the Newsletter (in an item on ‘Wall Paintings’) and in the following edition gave information from two lead members of the Society as follows: 

Dr Michael Leach and Dr James Bettley advised that CKP on the bookplate is C.K. Probert of Newport (1820-1887).  Probert was an early member of the Society, an antiquary and collector.  The Society's printed library catalogue of 1923 lists MS items described as the Probert Collection ('Chas K Probert, Newport, Essex Nov 24 1883 written on the inner cover'). These were rough notes about 48 churches. The catalogue indicates that they formed the basis of 12 MS volumes which were bequeathed to the British Museum in 1889.  His papers may be consulted at the British Library and College of Arms (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/nra/searches/subjectView.asp?ID=P23530).

Dr James Bettley has looked at the scrapbook in more detail.  It dates from the second half of the 1850s through to 1885, and begins by concentrating on parishes in the north west of the county.  Of particular interest are the sketches of churches made before the Victorian restorers appeared on the scene.  For example, Bobbingworth (illustrated) shows the timber bell tower prior to restoration in 1841, and St Mary’s, High Ongar with a belfry and tall and slender spire before much rebuilding in 1858.

Dr James Bettley adds: “Apart from the Suckling/Buckler cuttings, I thought it the single most useful source on 19th century church restoration in Essex that I have come across – the sketches and photos of churches before they were restored provide very valuable evidence.  I was surprised to find, when I compared some of the photos of Radwinter, that the very photos in the scrapbook were used to illustrate A Deuce of an Uproar, where they are credited to Probert – so someone knew of this resource and used it in the 1980s”.

Having deposited the scrapbook further information has just come to light.  While sorting through an old filing cabinet in the Librarian’s office Andrew discovered a handwritten index of the scrapbook’s contents written on scrap paper dating from the late 1970s.   This has now been transcribed and will be passed to the Essex Record Office for suggested addition to the catalogue entry on SEAX.  It will also be posted on ESAH160 at the end of this series.

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