Collection: Frederick Maitland Underhill Collection

Description

This large collection is the work of Frederick Maitland Underhill (1909-1983) who had a lifelong interest in archaeology and architecture, joining the Berkshire Archaeological Society (B.A.S.) at the age of 17. During the Second World War he worked at the Central Photographic Intelligence Unit interpreting aerial photographs. He was also the Berkshire representative of the Ordnance Survey responsible for mapping archaeological finds in the county. In 1952 he was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries.

His connection with the National Buildings Record (predecessor body of the Historic England Archive) dates back to 1941 when he volunteered to work on a card index of illustrations and photographs of significant buildings in Berkshire. The relationship continued into the 1970s, during which time he made an exhaustive photographic record of buildings in Berkshire for the NBR. This record forms the bulk of the collection.

As well as original record photography by F M Underhill the collection also contains material collected by him (lantern slides, glass negatives, guide books etc). It is geographically focussed on sites around Berkshire and the surrounding counties with varying degrees of coverage across the remainder of England, Scotland and Wales. Subjects covered include a wide range of ecclesiastical and secular buildings, archaeological sites and general topographical views.

His own work dates from the late 1920s to 1970s and is mostly a record of historic buildings and landscapes, notably churches, vernacular buildings, mills etc., focussed on Berkshire. There is limited coverage of archaeological sites and excavations, the latter probably ones in which Underhill was involved.

The items collected by Underhill are also concentrated around Berkshire. This part of the collection includes a series of late 19th century lantern slides and glass negatives. Within this group are images of the streets of Maidenhead during the flood of 1894, almshouses, industry, villagescapes. The work of Taunt, George Piner Cartland and Huke’s Library (Chester) feature within this part of the collection.

He also collected guide books and leaflets for sites and locations around the country which form part of the collection along with family portraits, lists of negatives and correspondence on behalf of The Berkshire Archaeological Society (B.A.S.) relating to listed buildings in the county.

The collection is made up of circa 9600 negatives (glass, film & 35 mm); c.5500 photographic prints; 41 lantern slides; c. 130 guidebooks; correspondence and reports.

Archival History

Received Via : 1. F M Underhill's widow, Margaret Underhill. Donated in 1984 2. Reading Museum. Donated 21/10/97.

Provenance : F M Underhill (d. 1983) was formerly Secretary to the Berkshire Archaeological Society The collection is primarily made up his own negatives and prints (dating from the 1920s-1970s) and negatives and other archive collected by him (dating from late 19th century onwards).

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