Henry Hope & Sons Ltd were a long established manufacturer of architectural metalware and glazing systems based in Smethwick. Their publications and advertising always met high standards of typography and publishing and this wonderful and substantial book is no exception as it was printed at The Curwen Press in London and demonstrates much of their acknowledged skill.
The catalogue - Publication No. 260, issued in December 1951 - was for drawing office use giving details of specifications, sections and other information and covers a vast number of building types and architectural styles. Needless to say, although Hope's windows were sold for 'older styles' their galvanised steel glazing systems fitted well into modern architectural styles and they produced special systems for large scale projects such as office blocks, factories and power stations.
Post-war Britain saw, as part of a wider reconstruction and expansion of urban areas, a large school building programme. This was not just to deal with war damage but also an increasing population of children after wartime and as the economy and living standards generally improved. School architecture was also considered very important with a move away from the often cramped and barrack like style of Victorian and Edwardian Board schools to a more modern aesthetic with plenty of light and air to aid the development of pupils and young people. Ventilation was also seen as important as we tend to forget that the scourge of tuberculosis was still common despite medical advances. Hope's amde a great play as to the suitability of their windows and glazing systems to match this new architecture and several pages of the catalogue are given over to the subject.
The Cherry Orchard window, with multiple openings operated by a cam system, was named after and fitted to the City of Birmingham Education Department's Cherry Orchard Road School. The school, in Handsworth Wood, was by architect was W T Benslyn ARCA, FRIBA. Several pupils have posed themselves very neatly for the camera!