The world of theatrical antiquarianism has lost one of its most dedicated figures with the passing of Barbara Cavanagh at the age of 86. A self-taught expert, she built a formidable reputation through her deep knowledge of manuscripts, ballet ephemera, and opera materials.
From Swansea to Theatrical History
Barbara was born in Mumbles, Swansea, to Fred Davies and his wife, Edna, who managed a local bakery. Her childhood was marked by the profound impact of the 1947 Samtampa steamship disaster, which occurred near her home above the Mumbles lifeboat station when she was just six years old.
Her early passion for literature was evident during her primary school days, where she would often slip into Oystermouth library after running home for a bowl of golden ham soup. After attending Brynmawr secondary modern school from 1950, she maintained a lifelong connection to the Welsh coast, regularly returning to walk the cliffs and swim in the Gower bays.
Her professional journey began at Swansea University as an 18-year-old library assistant. A year later, she moved to London to work at a Westminster bookshop run by the renowned theatre historian Ifan Kyrle Fletcher, a co-founder of the Society for Theatre Research.
Building a Legacy in Bookselling
In 1962, Barbara married John Cavanagh, a customer from the bookshop. The following year, the couple founded Motley Books, sourcing stock from across the continent and selling via catalogue to academic institutions, public holdings, and private collectors. Their clientele included the emerging film-maker Bill Douglas.
In a significant life change, they left London in 1972 to become tenants of Mottisfont Abbey in Hampshire, under an agreement with the National Trust that required them to provide public access and tours of the historic building.
Barbara's entrepreneurial spirit flourished at Mottisfont, where she established a small primary school within the vast house, employing a dedicated teacher. For two decades, she and John also opened their home to theatrical productions, hosting plein-air theatre, revels, and garden parties for groups including the touring company Theatre Set-Up, the local Maskers Theatre Company, and King Alfred’s College.
A New Chapter in Ephemera and Family
Following her separation from John in 1993, though they never divorced, Barbara found a new professional focus in ephemera fairs, dealing in transient everyday documents such as sheet music, playbills, and letters.
At one such fair in 1997, she met conceptual artist David Troostwyk, beginning a partnership that lasted until his death in 2009.
In 2012, Barbara moved to Hastings, East Sussex, to help raise her newborn granddaughter. There, she embraced the vibrant local music and arts scene, sharing a beach hut with other families and friends, and rediscovering her love for coastal life.
Remarkably, Barbara continued dealing in theatrical material until the end of this past summer. One of her final significant sales involved rare prompt books for La Perouse, an early 19th-century play about a Pacific explorer, which were acquired by the prestigious Garrick Club library in London.
Barbara Cavanagh is survived by her two daughters, Catherine and Olivia, her granddaughter, Erin, and her brother, Peter.
