The Andover Albums

The Andover Albums are a very rare example of an 18th century family scrap book, dating from between 1740 and 1780, compiled by bluestocking and talented amateur artist Mary, 2nd Viscountess Andover, whose life spanned much of the 18th century (1717-1803). The albums were passed down in private collections until the late 1980s before being acquired by English Heritage at auction in 1988 as a supplement to the Suffolk Collection (Viscount Andover being the subsidiary title of the Earls of Suffolk and Berkshire).

The albums contain sketches, drawings and prints – principally of friends and family members and their homes, as well as topographical landscapes, floral and animal subjects and copies after Old Master paintings.

In late 2018, a campaign of conservation work on the Andover Albums was completed, funded by the Friends of Kenwood with substantial aid from the Dinah Abel Bequest. For the first time since their acquisition by English Heritage in 1988, it was possible to safely handle these fragile 18th century albums and examine the prints, drawings and designs therein.

In order to facilitate cataloguing and widen public access to the albums, a digitisation project was also required and in 2023 the Friends of Kenwood offered to support English Heritage in undertaking this work, which was completed in October 2024.

Image: Landscape with tree and figures, Andover Albums vol.1 by R. Dashwood, 1743
Charcoal on paper
Purchased by English Heritage for the Suffolk Collection, 1988 © English Heritage Trust