A small collection of reports and correspondence concerning the use of photography at the Festival of Britain.

Items, all with punch-holes, from the files of Charles E. Fraser, later Chief photographer and Head of the photographic department of the Festival of Britain 1951, as follows: a. 2 Savoy Court, Strand, WC2, 20 Oct. 1949, one page, fol., "Copy", giving the minutes of a meeting attended by Secretaries and representatives of Royal Photographic Society, Science Dept of Festival, etc.; to discuss "all aspects of photography" at the Festival; b. Memorandum by Fraser, 25 September 1949, carbon, "Suggestions for Photography Exhibition as part of the Festival of Britain", arguing the importance of photography in the Arts and other spheres, including historical connections in Britain (invention and the Great Exhibition), and other points, 2pp., fol.; c. Typed Letter signed "Bruce" and lengthy memo. signed "BG" [R. Bruce Grice, photographer] to Fraser, both 7 Oct. 1949, in which Grice argues the importance of photography (a 'dependance') in many spheres; d. file copies of two short TLsS, one page, 12mo, from Fraser, "Photographic Department (Festival?) to the Secretary of the Royal Photographic Society and to O & M Section, Treasury, Whitehall, referring to a previous discussion and an enclosed copy of "Suggestions" (prob. document above), 4 Oct. 1949; e. Typescript of letter published in British Journal of Photography about the Fox Talbot Commemorative Exhibition, 21 Oct. 1949, 2pp., 12mo; f. Typed Note Signed to Fraser by the Director of Exhibions, one page, 12mo, 13 Aug. 1951, saying the scheme discussed has ben turned down on financial grounds, adding the budget and plan for the Exhibition; WITH "Confidential Report | Subject: Comprehensive Photographic Record for posterity of the South Bank Exhibition Festival of Britain 1951", Fraser to the Director of Exhibitions, typescript, carbon, 3pp., 4to, 4 Aug. 1951, a detailed proposal with headings "Time", "Number of Photographs", "Festival Photgr. Unit", "Contracting Out", "Cost of Taking Photographs" ... "Colour Record", "Cine Sequence", "Conclusion"; g. Memo., Fraser to Cecil Cook, Director of Exhibitions, Carbon (file) , one page, 4to, "Subject: Co-ordinating Officer for comprehensive photgraphic coverage operation", 4 Aug. 1951; h. Photocopy of page from British Journal of Photography, 11 May 1951, about photography at the Festival (a potential "herald of progress"); i. Memo. from Bruce Grice to Fraser on photrographic items received, 15 Aug. 1951, and another small item.