The collection contains thirteen black and white photographic prints relating to the work of architect William Marsden (1907-1908), primarily documenting the Torquay Electricity Board Offices and Showroom (now known as Electric House) on Union Street in Torquay, which was designed by Marsden during his time as Chief Assistant Architect to the Torquay Borough Engineer and Surveyor. There is also one print showing the reading room at Torquay Library, and a later print, dating from 1951, showing the interior of an unknown building, probably designed by Sir Percy Thomas, whose firm Marsden went on to work for.
The photographs showing the Torquay Electricity Board Offices and Showroom comprise: one exterior view of the building; seven interior views of the showrooms; and three photographs of measured drawings of the building, comprising basement and ground floor plans, and an axonimetric sketch of the building.
Four different photographic companies are represented in the collection: Wilson Gould Studios, Scott Galloway Studio, and Dinham and Sons, all of Torquay, and Terence Soames (Cardiff) Ltd.
The collection was acquired by the Historic England Archive in 2015.
Contact Historic England Archive
Architect: Marsden, William
Art Deco, Mid 20th Century Office, Mid 20th Century Showroom, Mid 20th Century Public Library
