A bitterly cold but gloriously sunny January day put Greenwich Park and the Thames in their optimum light for the Glovers’ visit to the National Maritime Museum. The event had been planned around the Samuel Pepys exhibition “Plague Fire and Revolution” where a stunning pair of Stuart high fashion gloves from our Glove Collection held centre stage.
But first we enjoyed an excellent meal with wine at the Museum’s Brasserie. Afterwards, seated in the lecture theatre, Glovers listened to an engaging illustrated talk on the life of the diarist by exhibition curator Robert Blyth. The Master then presented gloves to both Robert and to Chiara Heal from the Museum who had made sure we would enjoy our experience of Mr Pepys’ turbulent 17th century London to the maximum.
And so, thoroughly prepped, to the Exhibition. Samuel Pepys life and his diary formed the backdrop to an eclectic mix of paintings, artefacts, first-edition books, manuscripts, and costumes - all highlighting the political/social upheaval and artistic flowering of post-Puritan London with a special emphasis on the theatre.
Never mind that the actual diary did not feature. Robert Blyth had informed us it is not allowed to leave Pepys’ book collection bequeathed in full to his Alma Mater, Magdalene College Cambridge. As stipulated in his will, it must remain with the collection just as he arranged it (apparently according to size) on his own-designed bookcases. And judging by the time spent around the display, those glorious ribbon-trimmed gloves sent from Bath did not disappoint. It was a most relaxed, informative and enjoyable day, thanks to the work and care put in to the planning by the Social Committee alongside the staff of the National Maritime Museum.
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