[The Coronation, 1953.] Plans, sections and elevations, with letters and memoranda, by the Scottish architect Joseph Wilson, ARIBA, for the 'Proposed Coronation Stand' and 'Accommodation' at London booksellers J. & E. Bumpus Ltd., 477 Oxford Street.

For more about Joseph Wilson, ARIBA, FRIAS, see his entry in the Dictionary of Scottish Architects. From the familiar tone of his letters (Items Seven, Ten and Eleven below), there is every indication that he was closely related to his client, J. G. Wilson, proprietor of the prestigious firm of J. & E. Bumpus Ltd, and a man described by Sir Basil Blackwell (in his DNB entry on Wilson) as 'the most famous English [sic] bookseller of his time'. Eleven items, in good condition, lightly aged and worn. Comprising: ONE and TWO: Two cloth-backed sheets of hand-coloured duplicated architectural images (a map, an elevation, two sections and two plans), each sheet signed by Wilson. The first sheet (26 x 41 cm) is captioned 'BLOCK PLAN [i.e. map] | PROPOSED CORONATION STAND | J. & E. BUMPUS LTD | No 477 OXFORD ST W1'. The second sheet (48.5 x 77 cm) carries five images: basement plan; ground floor plan; 'section at doorways 1 & 2'; 'section at windows 1, 2, 3, & 4'; and 'frontage [i.e. elevation] to Oxford St.' THREE to SIX: Four copies of the same sheet of three duplicated architectural images (a plan, a section and an elevation) of the bookshop, three of the sheets with variant hand-colouring, and one uncoloured, each on grey paper and approximately 63 x 31 cm. In bottom right-hand corner: 'JOSEPH WILSON A.R.I.B.A. | ARCHITECT | 200 ST. VINCENT STREET | GLASGOW C.2'. The sheet is headed 'PROPOSED CORONATION ACCOMMODATION | FOR MESSRS. J. & E. BUMPUS LTD. | 477 OXFORD STREET LONDON W.1.' Three of the four have different versions of the hand-coloured design for the celebratory decoration on an elevation of the shop's facade. One has a stamp in corner of 'ARCHITECT L.C.C. [London County Council]', dated 29 August 1952. Each of the following three items is attached to one of Items Three to Six. SEVEN: Typed copy of letter from Wilson to London County Council District Surveyor E. D. McDowall. On his Glasgow letterhead, dated 19 November 1952, and headed 'J. & E. Bumpus Ltd. - 477, Oxford St. London W.1. | Coronation Procession: -Viewing & Protection - Shop Windows.' 2pp., 8vo. Laying out in detail the question of 'outside barricade protection', with reference to the view of New Scotland Yard. Typed on the reverse of the copy is an original Typed Letter Signed from Wilson to J. G. Wilson, signed 'Joe', making seven numbered points. EIGHT: Typed Memorandum (1p., 8vo). Headed: 'CORONATION YEAR. 1953........PROPOSALS. | (General Front & Specification for Decoration &c. of Barricade Panels. (See Plan herewith).' Dated in autograph 18 December [1952]. Listing 13 detailed specifications, including 'Four Stone Pilasters', 'Two Flag Motifs' and 'The Shield, cartouche or Plaque motifs.' NINE: Copy of typed 'Specification for Protection Barricades in Panel - (See Plan &c. sent herewith).' Undated. 2pp., 8vo. The second page carries a 'Table of Quantities'. TEN and ELEVEN: Two Typed Letters Signed from Wilson, each on his Glasgow letterhead and 1p., 12mo. Both are addressed to J. G. Wilson, and signed 'Joe'. (Each ends familiarly, supporting the possibility that the two were related.) The first (22 November) is headed 'Coronation . . . .. Proposals', reporting that the District Surveyor 'has replied, officially, that he has no objections to raise to the proposals - for viewing and protection'. The second (9 December 1952), headed 'Coronation . . . . . Quotations', gives two pieces of news. The third letter (26 April 1951) is addressed to the firm in general, and signed 'Joseph Wilson'.