The research papers on Cape Town architect, John Parker (1866-1921), assembled by Professor Owen Pryce-Lewis, staff member of the UCT School of Architecture from 1938-1969, and Associate Professor and Assistant Director of the School from 1947-1969, were bequeathed to the Manuscripts & Archives Dept in July 1994. Prof Pryce-Lewis' interest and involvement in research into the work of John Parker and his firm Parker and Forsyth, led the owners of the architectural drawings, Parker, Staniforth and Bieldt to donate drawings from 1890-1921 to the Library. The Pryce-Lewis/Parker Collection comprises the manuscript of a proposed biography of the life and work of John Parker; lists of buildings designed by Parker, photographs of buildings, as well as correspondence between Professor Pryce-Lewis and members of the Parker family, 1981-1993.
In order to trace all the buildings designed by John Parker, Professor Pryce-Lewis listed all the building plans in the Cape Town Municipal Archives, 1887-1913, for the following areas:- Cape Town, Claremont, Maitland, Mowbray, Muizenberg/Kalk Bay, Sea Point and Woodstock. These lists include name of building, street, architect and reference number. This collection should be used in conjunction with BC 729 Parker, Staniforth & Bieldt Collection.