Record

Ref NoFIT
Acc No1995/35
TitleSam Fitton Collection
DescriptionIt is Sam Fitton's illustrations which comprise the single greatest class of original material found here. Of these, the cartoons are the most prolific. However, there is little original material here which reflects Sam Fitton's published work, suggesting that these illustrations did not achieve that status. The newspaper cuttings do provide some complement to the original material which is present, particularly as an indicator of his output of cartoons about the cotton industry. His literary and dramatic works are largely a miscellany of playlets, patter, verse, some dialect writing, more formal short plays, and a short novel. Many of these bear incidental drawings, as do some of the less numerous musical works. These texts and scores, as with the illustrations, no doubt only represent a proportion of Fitton's total output, which has yet to be fully assessed. Jane Fitton's papers are sparse, as are the personal papers. Some few photographs, photographic copies of original works, printed material and ephemera are held.
Datec.1893-c.1929
SubjectDialects
Illustration
Related MaterialRelated items have been cross-referenced within the list, typically, between versions of literary works and their associated illustrations, and between original and printed items which are held. Note is also made of original items held which were reproduced in Gradely Lancashire (1929).

A large amount of original Fitton material probably remains in private hands, although an appeal concurrent with this listing produced little of note. Copies of most published works may be found in Oldham Local Studies Library. The location of relevant newspapers is recorded in Newsplan. A small number of Sam Fitton's paintings are held at Oldham Art Gallery.

Sources:
Cowley, Ruth. Newsplan. Report of the NEWSPLAN project in the North Western Region September 1986 - January 1990. The British Library: 1990.

Fitton, Sam. Gradely Lancashire. Geo. Whittaker and Sons. Stalybridge: 1929.

Fowler, Alan and Wyke, Terry. Mirth in the Mill. Oldham Arts and Heritage Publications: 1995.

Oldham Archives Service: FIT, Supplementary Information file.
Physical DescriptionThe collection is contained within seven archive boxes. Overall, its condition is good, following some localised cleaning, conservation and protective packaging.
RepositoryOldham Local Studies and Archives
LevelCollection
Extent7 boxes
AccessStatusOpen
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