Margaret Lowenfeld

Papers of and relating to Margaret Lowenfeld and the Institute of Child Psychology, London.

The catalogued material is divided into the following sections (for administrative reasons, researchers are requested to provide Archives and Manuscripts staff with at least 5 working days notice if they wish to consult the papers in sections V-Z):

A-C. Research and Clinical Papers by Margaret Lowenfeld, 1926-1969

A. Rheumatism, 1926-1927

B. Feeding, 1926-1935

C. Psychological Medicine, 1930-1969

D. Popular Papers by Margaret Lowenfeld, 1927-1964

E. Miscellaneous papers on other people's use of Margaret Lowenfeld's techniques and related work, 1929-2002

F. Historical Material of the Children's clinic and the Institute of Child Psychology, 1928-1985

G. Popular Lectures given by Margaret Lowenfeld, 1928-1943

H. Research Collaboration and Correspondence with Vassar College, New York, 1950-1956

I. Margaret Lowenfeld, Biographical and Autobiographical Material, 1896-1999

J. Miscellaneous (unpublished papers) by M. Lowenfeld, 1930-1956

K. Developments in the use of Worlds, 1930s-1950s

L. Material for World Technique Book: 1959, 1920s-1960s

M. Material from World Federation of Mental Health and International Rorschach Congresses, 1968

N. Material for World Technique Book sent to Margaret Mead in1974 by Ville Andersen, 1950s

O. Correspondence on Worlds (and general aspects of Margaret Lowenfeld's work), 1937-1980

P. Margaret Lowenfeld's Mosaic Test: Instructions, Correspondence and Research, 1940s-1970s

Q. Kaleidoblocs. Theory, Research and Distribution, 1949-1976

R. Poleidoblocs. Instructions, Research and Design, 1960s

S. Dissertations, Theses and Extended Manuscripts describing work using Lowenfeld techniques, 1954-1986

T. Thérèse Woodcock, Talks, Papers and Seminars on Lowenfeld techniques, 1984-2004

V-Z: Visual and auditory material, 1920-2001

V. Worlds, 1930s-1970s

W. Mosaics, 1920-1976

X. Kaleidoblocs and Poleidoblocs, 1961-1998

Y. Photographs of historical or theoretical interest, 1931-2001

Z. Audio/Visual Materials, 20th century

ZA. Miscellaneous Material, 1980-1991

ZB. Patient Case Files and Patient Data, 1927-1998

One box of additional material was acquired in May 2015 (2180) comprising mainly (duplicates) of off-prints, articles and papers by or about Margaret Lowenfeld, two books on the Lowenfeld Technique by M Lowenfeld, packs of Mosaic Test cards and a Mosaic Set of wooden coloured pieces.

One file of additional material acquired in Jan 2023 (acc 2699) containing:

MSC Lowenfeld Projective Play Therapy - Programme Handbook 1999-2000

Guidelines for the therapist using the Lowenfeld World Technique by Therese Woodcock (former trustee)

Guidelines on the therapeutic setting (Therese Woodcock)

The Lowenfeld Approach to Projective Play Therapy - Step by Step (by Therese Woodcock)

Guide to using Lowenfeld mosaics by Therese Woodcock

Collection level description compiled by Christopher Hilton, with some additions by Amanda Engineer; last revised on release of catalogue data in March 2006.

Detailed list provided by Margaret Lowenfeld Trust, for incorporation in database. The material is organised on the basis of a coding scheme developed from a system originally designed by Ville Andersen, Margaret Lowenfeld's colleague in research and clinical work from the 1950s until Margaret Lowenfeld's death. Particular thanks are due to Elaine Sharland for sorting through unclassified material. Listing converted by Christopher Hilton to database form and released to public March 2006.

Born digital element of the collection re-catalogued by Emma Jones, June 2020

Digital group of pieces and piece-level records were deleted by Victoria Sloyan, Aug 2020.

Dr Margaret Lowenfeld was a paediatrician who became a pioneer of child psychology and psychotherapy. Her outstanding contributions sprang from her recognition that play is an important activity in children's development. She invented non-verbal techniques that enabled children to express themselves, including The Lowenfeld World Technique and Lowenfeld Mosaics. The former involved the use of sand trays and miniature toys. The child guidance clinic Lowenfeld established in the late 1920s in London's Notting Hill developed into the Institute for Child Psychology.

Further biographical information can be found on the Dr Margaret Lowenfeld Trust website at http://www.lowenfeld.org/Lowenfeld/default.asp.