Hello readers, as The Stratford Artist my favourite subjects are the historic buildings of Stratford-upon-Avon. A few years ago, I started a project to draw and paint all the town's structures that are on Historic England's "listed buildings" schedule. There are over 350 in the town centre alone of which I have dealt with 60 or so.

To add unique interest to my work I do a little research into the history of each building looking for a quirky story, be it fact or fable, which I then illustrate with my little characters.

This is number seven in a series of articles featuring a picture and story from my historic buildings collection. I hope you like it.

Numbers 4 & 5 Sheep Street

Historic England gave number 4, on the right in the picture, a Grade II listing and describe it as a former town house “probably” built in the 16^th century. Although many of the internal oak timbers remain, the frontage is in fact a 1910 reconstruction carried out by Captain William Jaggard when he acquired the building for his bookshop “Shakespeare Press”. The bookshop closed in 1964. It remained empty and derelict until 1977 when it was extensively but sympathetically restored and opened as an antique centre. The cottage at number 5, also Grade II listed, was restored as a wine bar. In 1993 the antique arcade closed, and the wine bar was extended into number 4 giving us Vintners.

Captain Jaggard was a rather eccentric businessman although he had a genuine expertise in Shakespeare’s publications, producing a complete bibliography. The bookshop and bibliography were two endeavours alongside his lifelong ambition to link his name to the original printer and publisher of Shakespeare’s First Folio, William and Isaac Jaggard. I am not going to even attempt to tell the story of our William Jaggard in this short article. Suffice to say that it occupies about 300 pages of the most informative book “Shakespeare Press” created by his grandson Andy Jaggard…thank you Andy!

I will mention one more thing about the good captain and his bookshop. When he rebuilt the “Tudor” frontage he hung a plaque proclaiming, “Shakespeare Press founded 1591 by Wm. Jaggard who produced in 1623 the first edition of the world’s greatest genius and other famous books”. I may sometimes use a little artistic licence, but Captain Jaggard was the master!

Just for fun I imagined the Bard arriving with his next manuscript!

Originals or prints from my historic buildings collection are often available and I welcome commissions for portraits of your home or other favourite building. Email me at ken.morgan96@yahoo.com for details.

© Ken Morgan

Ken Morgan, aka The Stratford Artist, is a professional artist working from his studio close to the River Avon in Stratford-upon-Avon. His favourite subjects are the historic buildings and structures in and around his hometown. He works in ink and watercolour. Architectural accuracy is important, but his style brings life to the pictures, often helped by the addition of humorous or quirky characters.

Another thing...can you find the little blackbird which appears in all Ken's pictures?

See more of Ken Morgan's work on Instagram @thestratfordartist.