OLD SPEECH ROOM GALLERY Old Harrovian collections

Harrow 450

Shell boys who arrived in the autumn of 2022 were able to enjoy the special exhibition mounted earlier that year for the Harrow 450 anniversary. The Silver Arrow costume with associated long bow and arrows from the 1760s was the star attraction, eliciting many enquiries about how to join the Archery Society! In January, the exhibition was replaced by the superb watercolours bequeathed by Charles John Hegan (The Park 1858). Maritime, Coastal and Riverside Scenes provided a stark contrast to the previous year’s focus on the Hill. A selection of Aldine volumes (the earliest printed books to be published in Italy), bequeathed to the School in 1887 by Lionel Oliver Bigg (Church Hill House 1854), revealed much about the preoccupations of Renaissance scholars and provided fascinating discussion topics for boys from several academic divisions. These were displayed alongside a colourful and intriguing display of ancient Egyptian amulets made from materials as diverse as obsidian, carnelian, glass, faience, hardstone and gold. The prime purpose of the arrangement was to show how objects of this kind are looked after in the museum context. Boys could see how ‘best practice’ conservation techniques are used to prolong the life of these tiny treasures.

Highgrove Florilegium

One of the most exciting acquisitions of the year was the Highgrove Florilegium. Published in 2009, it is a two-volume set of botanical prints, commissioned by TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (now HM King Charles III and HM Queen Camilla) to paint ‘all the plants, vegetables, fruit and trees’ growing in the garden of their home in Gloucestershire. The aim was to produce a florilegium in the tradition of botanist Sir Joseph Banks (Harrow 1753). More than 70 leading botanical artists from around the world worked for seven years to produce the watercolours. Scientific texts describe each plant. Richard Shirley Smith (The Knoll 1949 2 ) designed the titles, endpapers and vignettes. The Highgrove Florilegium went on display to mark the royal coronation in May, along with the OSRG’s collection of royal photographs taken by OH royal photographers, Sir Cecil Beaton (Bradbys 1918¹), Patrick Lichfield (Elmfield 1952¹) and Hugo Burnand (Rendalls 1977¹).

FROM THE HILL TO THE HIGH SIERRAS – WITH HORSES: A PHOTOGRAPHIC TRAVELOGUE

The photographs of Rupert Sagar-Musgrave (Moretons 19842) occupy the main gallery vitrines until December. Rupert, a professional photographer, travels the world taking photographs of remote communities and the animals upon which they depend. Locations range from India, the Steppe, Andalusia and – more locally –Appleby in Cumbria. The panoramic works are large, complex montages and deserve close inspection. Most are available for purchase.

Details are available at rupertsagar-musgrave.com

HARROW CRICKET AND ETON V HARROW AT LORD’S: TWO CENTURIES OF SPORTING SUMMERS

The return of warm weather in May provided the perfect opportunity to mount this cricket-themed exhibition. Books, bats, caps, cartoons, ephemera and historic artworks reveal the passion for the game. The stories of Sir Stanley Jackson (The Head Master's 18843), T B Wilson (High Street 19063), ‘Monkey’ Hornby (Druries 1862¹), Ponsonby (Mr Evans' 1830²) and Grimston (The Grove 1928³) are featured. Harrow Songs are celebrated. To mark the successful outcome of the decision by the MCC to allow the Eton v Harrow fixture to be played at Lord's until at least 2028, a special talk was given in the OSRG by Dale Vargas (Druries 19523) on the history both of Harrow cricket and the Eton v Harrow fixture. Dale was House Master of The Head Master’s and ran the Field House Club for many years. His talk was so entertaining that it has been reprinted (with illustrations) by the OSRG. OH enthusiasts should contact the Curator to order a copy – waltonj@harrowschool.org.uk

Julia