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Spoliation reports

This institution also provides a list of works with incomplete provenance during the period 1933-1945.

IRONBRIDGE GORGE MUSEUM TRUST

Designated collection

Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust
Ironbridge
Telford
Shropshire
TF8 7AW

CONTACT
John Powell, Librarian & Information Officer
Tel: (01952) 432141
Fax: (01952) 435937
E-mail: library@ironbridge.org.uk

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF COLLECTION

. Social and industrial history items relating to the East Shropshire Coalfield
. Coalport and Caughley pottery and porcelain, plus other locally-made ceramics, clay tobacco pipes, etc.
. Decorative wall and floor tiles made in East Shropshire and elsewhere
. Coalbrookdale cast iron
. Labouchere Collection of items relating to the Darby family
. Elton Collection of industrial art
. Telford Collection of items relating to the life and works of Thomas Telford

1. OVERALL PLANS

The Museum Trust was only established in the 1960's, so was not itself collecting during the 1933-45 period.

PARTS OF COLLECTION EXCLUDED
Social and industrial history items, the majority of which were donated by local
people, and their provenance is known.
Decorative wall and floor tiles. Many donated by local people : others rescued
from known locations.
Coalbrookdale cast iron. Mainly donated or loaned by local people.
Labouchere Collection. In the possession of known family for many
generations.

FOCUS FOR RESEARCH
The initial focus for research was the Elton Collection of industrial art. It was
collected by the late Sir Arthur Elton between the 1920's and his death in 1973,
and was deposited with the Ironbridge Gorge Museum trust in 1978. It includes
paintings, drawings and watercolours. It has been confirmed that the collection
was in the United Kingdom between 1933 and 1945 and did not leave the
country at all. This confirms that the Elton Collection was not subject to
spoliation.

TIMESCALE FOR RESEARCH
Research began in 2000 and was completed by 2002.

AREAS OF THE COLLECTION CONSIDERED A LOWER PRIORITY
The Museum has acquired a small number of paintings and drawings since the
early 1970's whose provenance has been checked. A few items from the
pottery and porcelain collection and a few coins have also been checked. It
has been confirmed that all these items can be considered excluded.

2. RESEARCH CARRIED OUT IN TARGET AREAS

METHOD OF RESEARCH

1. Contact has been made with surviving members of the late Sir Arthur Elton's family who have confirmed that the collection was in the United Kingdom between 1933-45, and did not leave the country, and was not therefore subject to spoliation.

2. Detailed research in the Museum's own records and archives has confirmed that paintings, drawings, pottery, porcelain and coins acquired since 1970 can be considered excluded.

3. Former members of staff who have now left the Museum have also been contacted to provide additional information concerning provenance and confirm that all items acquired since 1970 can be excluded.

4. All research and investigations undertaken have confirmed that there is nothing in the Elton Collection or any other collections at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum which could have been subject to spoliation.

3. INFORMATION ON MAKING GENERAL ENQUIRIES ABOUT COLLECTION

As above.

ARCHIVES
Consist of approx. 7,500 items, including 1,400 maps, comprising papers relating to the Darby family of Coalbrookdale, the civil engineer Thomas Telford and a number of local companies such as the Lilleshall Company and the Horsehay Company. It also includes 30 years of the Museum's own files and records.

PRESS OFFICE CONTACT DETAILS
Paul Gossage, Head of Marketing Tel: (01952) 433522
Fax: (01952) 432204
E-mail: marketing@ironbridge.org.uk
Available 09.00 - 17.00 Monday - Friday