NS Vol 6 No 2 (New Year 2000-2001)

George Friend (1881-1969)

book-plate designer

obituary by Cecil Thomas[1]

WITH the death of George Friend at the age of 87, we lose one of the outstanding characters of this century. But we have the riches of his great contribution to the art of engraving in which he served as teacher in the Central School of Arts and Crafts from the beginning of the century till recently.

He was no seeker after publicity or honours, his life was secluded and limited by the gentle art he followed, that of designing and engraving bookplates on copper or steel. Of these he engraved over 900, of which some 400, in the Liverpool Public Library, are catalogued by P C Beddingham. A certain number are in the British Museum collection. And 100 are in the Victoria & Albert Museum Library.

He was one of the band of craftsmen who aided Sir William Llewellyn Smith in his pioneering days for craft education. Throughout the century those interested in Ex Libris could go to the summer exhibition at the Royal Academy and in the S W corner room see the latest example of his work until 1960. His last works are the bookplates of Lord Marks and Lord Sieff, which he engraved, in his 86th year with undiminished skill.

His wide knowledge of heraldry and ability as a calligrapher gave his work great authority. The patience required in this art, the demands on his time as a teacher, the seclusion that resulted prevented him reaching the private patron. Many of the distinguished names in the list of his works may be unaware of the name of the exceptional artist employed by those responsible for their commission.

He did the engraving, or rather etching, on the Stalingrad Sword, was made a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths in 1929, and was created OBE in 1952. He served in France in the First World War, had the happiest of married lives; three sons and a daughter survive him.