Manuscript Collection MS COLL 00044 - Douglas M. Duncan Papers

Identity area

Reference code

CA OTUTF MS COLL 00044

Title

Douglas M. Duncan Papers

Date(s)

  • 1882-1943 (Creation)

Level of description

Manuscript Collection

Extent and medium

2 boxes + 6 items (0.6 metres)

Context area

Name of creator

(1902-1968)

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

Script of material

    Language and script notes

    Physical characteristics and technical requirements

    Finding aids

    Uploaded finding aid

    Allied materials area

    Existence and location of originals

    Existence and location of copies

    Related units of description

    Related descriptions

    Notes area

    Alternative identifier(s)

    Access points

    Subject access points

    Place access points

    Name access points

    Genre access points

    Description control area

    Description identifier

    CA OTUTF MS COLL00044

    Institution identifier

    Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto

    Rules and/or conventions used

    Dates of creation revision deletion

    Language(s)

      Script(s)

        Sources

        Accession area