Hoffmann

1938 · 140946061 — London: No publisher 1938. Very Good. 41 volumes. Bound in varying blue cloth bindings most stamped in gilt. Includes handwritten diaries for 1896-1899 1901-1911 and 1913-1938. Very Good with light shelf wear a few volumes have staining to the covers else fine. Various ephemera laid-in including a note relating to his Czech passport numbered receipts from clients insurance cards pay scale rate cards applications for work letters of intent from prospective employees. <p>An incredibly meticulously logged diary archive into the life and work of noteworthy London architect Paul Hoffmann likely born in Vienna in 1869 passing away in 1938. He was notably involved in Queen's Gate mansion blocks the Philimore Estate and Earl's Court in early 1900. In tiny ink script he kept a diligent yearly diary of his work until just ten days before his death on August 19th 1938 detailing his professional relationships as an architect nearly every day for four decades except Sundays. Includes names of clients colleagues and accounts of his projects. <p>As for what he did in his spare time an intriguing 1902 article in the Anglo-American Press mentions that he was also a librettist and author of the opera "The Little Innocents" under the pen name Hugh Stranger. <p>Hoffmann designed and maintained Capel House in 1905-06 now Cable House in London at 56 New Broad Street. His journal entries describe his work at Capel House including the annual building costs over the years applications for work at the House architect's insurance and more. Not only does this archive describe the day-to-day tasks of a busy architect but also keeps log of the outbreak of WWI from a Londoner's perspective. <p>His diaries kept between 1914-1918 log important WWI dates. He declares that the "Banks are closed due to 'war scare' on July 31st1914. He logs that "Germany declares war on England" on August 5th 1914. An insurance slip by "The Government Scheme of Aircraft and Bombardment Insurance" laid-in his 1916 diary charged his account 1500 pounds on the 1st of February to insure Capel House from air raids. On June 13th 1917 he writes "Airplane bombs in city" -- later on the 7th of July he writes "2 airplane raids over London." He writes on Armistice Day November 11 1918 "Armistice between Germany & Allies unchanged." In the interim of air raids and bombings he still keeps a daily log of calls meetings and projects. One of his most noteworthy projects Roxburgh Mansions Kensington London constructed in 1899 were eventually destroyed in The Blitz of WWII. <p>A remarkable archive for enthusiasts of late 19th & early 20th century London architecture. [No publisher] unknown