Artistic Aberdeen: A Sketch Book

Artistic Aberdeen: A Sketch Book

William Stratford Percy (1872-1946) was an Australian born stage actor. He spent much of his career in England but also toured the US, his home country of Australia, and Scotland.

An obituary in The Stage of 27th June 1946 (p. 4) concluded: "Much of his life was spent in touring, and he became as much a favourite with audiences in America and South Africa as in the English provinces. A thoroughly conscientious actor he could always be relied on for consistently sound work."

In addition to acting, Percy was also a visual artist and travel writer. His written works include Strolling Through Scotland (1934) and Strolling Through England (1935).

Percy's sketches of Aberdeen first appeared in the Press & Journal on 13th April 1929 (p. 3). The drawing is of the High Street in Old Aberdeen and the caption explains that Percy had acted in Aberdeen a fortnight ago with the Sunny Skies Company.

Sketches by Percy then feature sporadically in the paper during 1931 and 1932. Particularly when he is visiting the city for theatrical performances, including with Tommy Lorne's company at His Majesty's Theatre.

In the spring of 1932 a week long exhibition of original etchings and water colour sketches by Percy was held at the gallery of William Simpson at 4 Diamond Street. This exhibition is previewed in the Press & Journal of 29th March 1932 (p. 3).

On the 27th June 1932, Aberdeen Journals Ltd. published a collection of Percy's sketches of the granite city as a book called Artistic Aberdeen. Its title page describes itself as "Containing 20 Original Black and White Drawings of Ancient and Modern Corners and Buildings in the City".

This online exhibition includes digitised versions of the 20 images and their accompanying descriptions. As suggested in the work's preview in the Press & Journal (27/06/1932, p. 6), we hope the drawings are of interest both for their artistry and as a record of an Aberdeen changing over time.

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