Fylde Art Collection
The Fylde Art Collection or the Lytham St Annes Art Collection as it was previously known is one of the finest municipal art collections in the country.
The first painting was presented by John Booth (1856-1941) the eldest son of the redoubtable E.H.Booth who founded his famous grocery business. The painting was presented to the Council on 29th June 1925 "The Herd Lassie" by Richard Ansdell R.A.
The second gift to the collection "Lytham Sandhills" painted in 1860 and donated by Richard Ansdell's grandchildren in 1926. After the death of John Booth, his sons E.H. and J.K. Booth presented another painting in 1943 in their father's memory to the collection "The Deathbed of Robert, King of Naples" by Alfred Elmore (1815-1881).
It was November 1930 before the Art Collection received its next and, as it transpired, most valuable painting, "The Vision of Catherine of Aragon" by John Henry Fuseli (1741-1825) the painting was part of a bequest by Mrs Tiller who lived locally. Also received at this time was a painting by R. Wilson R.A. and several paintings by Percy Brooke. This painting was eventually bought by Alderman James Herbert Dawson and was given permanently to the collection in 1950.
Alderman James Herbert Dawson, was the greatest beneafactor of the Art Collection. Between 1931 and 1955 he donated 28 paintings and several other objects to the collection. It was his greatest desire to see an Art Gallery in the area for all to view the Art Collection.
Alderman Dawson's wishes came to fruition in 2007 with the inclusion of the Fylde Gallery which is located inside the Booth's supermarket in Lytham.
For further details on the Fylde Art Collection please visit:
