Lot 147: Lynton Harold Lamb (1906-1977)

The Tunnel, ink, and two further ink sketches by the same hand. (3)

Born in India, Lynton Harold Lamb was raised in London and educated at Kingswood School, Bath. He attended evening classes at Camberwell School of Art and studied life drawing under Randolph Schwabe. From 1928 to 1930 he was a full-time student at the Central School of Arts and Crafts, studying under Noel Rooke, Bernard Meninsky and A S Hartrick. He was later connected to the Euston Road School. He joined the Oxford University Press in 1930 and his work included book jackets for the World's Classics series, an illustrated edition of Madame Bovary, the binding of the Coronation Bible in 1953 and numerous other projects. He taught Book Production at the Central School from 1935 to 1939. At this time he also had a solo show of his paintings at the Storran Gallery. He continued with the Oxford University Press after the war, working as art editor of the 'Oxford Illustrated Trollope'. He pursued an academic career as well, serving as head of Lithography at the Slade and the RCA as well as teaching at the Ruskin School in Oxford. From 1951 to 1953 Lamb was President of the Society of Industrial Artists and Designers. He achieved many honours during his lifetime, including election to the Society of Wood Engravers and fellowship of the Society of Industrial Artists and the Royal Society of Arts. In 1974 he was named Royal Designer to Industry. During his later years he lived at Sandon (near Chelmsford, Essex). Reference: George Mackie, Lynton Lamb, illustrator, London: Scolar Press, 1978