Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1882-1943 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
2 boxes + 6 items (0.6 metres)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Douglas Moerdyke Duncan was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1902. In 1909, the Duncan family moved to Toronto, and Duncan attended U.T.S and then the University of Toronto. After his graduation in 1925, he worked briefly in his father's business in Toronto, but left to travel to Paris and study at the Sorbonne. In the fall of 1927, he began to study bookbinding techniques, and in 1928 set up his own studio, first in Paris and then in Toronto. At the same time, he also began to seriously collect books and art. In 1936, he founded the Picture Loan Society, which was established to exhibit, sell and lend out the works of contemporary Canadian artists. His work with the Society eventually became his main occupation. He accumulated a large personal collection of original works of Canadian artists and became a leading participant in the Canadian art world. He died in 1968.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Bequest to the University of Toronto Library from Douglas Duncan's estate, 1969.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This collection contains sketches and notes executed by Duncan, along with related correspondence. The dates of this material are 1935-1943. The collection also includes files of correspondence, typescripts and proofs of English authors collected by Duncan. Among the writers collected include Richard Aldington, Max Beerbohm, Lord Alfred Douglas and D.H. Lawrence, among others. The date of this material is 1882-ca.1930.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Material may be requested in person at the Fisher Library Reference Desk, or in advance using our online stack retrieval request form: https://aeon.library.utoronto.ca
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- English