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Last updated 13/2/2024

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This page is being used to collect information about the paperfolding of Samual Randlett (1930 to ) but is not intended to be a complete or formal history.

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Chronology

1930

Samuel Randlett was born in 1930.

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1959

Randlett has said that his 'creative work began in 1959' when he 'encountered Harbin's 'Paper Magic' (see entry for 1964 below).

In his 'The History of Paperfolding in Britain', which was published by the British Origami Society in 1975, David Lister recounts how:

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Volume 1, Issue 5 of 'The Origamian', which was published in March 1959, contained mention of Samuel Randlett:

and diagrams for his (heavily cut) 'Mouse'.

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According to the exhibition catalogue, Randlett contributed a number of designs to the 'Plane Geometry and Fancy Figures' exhibition held at the Cooper Union Museum in New York in the Summer of 1959:

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1961

This year saw the publication of Randlett's first book 'The Art of Origami' by E P Dutton in New York. It was mostly a book of traditional models and his own design work, although there were some contributions from other paperfolding designers.

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1962

Vol 3: Issue 1 of 'The Origamian' for Winter 1962/3 contains a profile of Neal Elias written by Peter Van Note, which credits Randlett with encouraging hinm to create his own designs.

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1963

Vol 3: Issue 2 of 'The Origamian' for Spring / Summer 1963 contained diagrams for Randlett's 'Shamrock':

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Vol 3: Issue 4 of 'The Origamian' for Winter 1963/4 contains a profile of Samuel Randlett written by Lillian Oppenheimer.

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Randlett's second book, 'The Best of Origami: New Models by Contemporary Folders' was published by E P Dutton in New York in 1963 and by Faber and Faber Ltd in London in 1964. Randlett said of himself:

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It was mostly a book of designs by other paperfolding designers, but also included some of Randlett's own designs. These were:

Eagle

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Songbird

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Parrot

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The Owl and the Pussycat (Cut)

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Apartheid

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Two Purses

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Hog

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1964

'Secrets of Origami', by Robert Harbin, which was published by Oldbourne Book Company in London in 1964, contained diagrams for two of Randlett's designs:

Husky Dog (developed from the Lover's Knot) (with Alan Cohen)

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Gargoyle

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1968

'Teach Yourself Origami: The Art of Paperfolding' by Robert Harbin, which was published by The English Universities Press in 1968, contained diagrams for Randlett's 'Fish' design.

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Two olf Randlett's designs from the 'Art of Origami', his 'Mouse' (heavily Cut) and 'Angelfish' appear, alongside other designs taken from that book, in 'Your Book of Paperfolding' by Vanessa and Eric de Maré, which was published by Faber and Faber in London in 1968.

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In 1968 Randlett began to produce an origami magazine called 'The Flapping Bird' which was published by Jay Marshall of Magic Inc. Two issues were published in 1968, seven in 1969, four in 1970, four in 1971, one in 1972, none in 1973, six in 1974, none in 1975 and one, the final issue, in 1976.

Randlett's 'Christmas Card', from one square plus a decorative insert, appeared in Issue 2 of 1968.

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1969

Vol 9: Issue 4 of 'The Origamian' for Winter 1969 contains a letter from Samuel Randlett commenting on Adolpho Cerceda's letter in Vol 9, issue 3.

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1970

A photograph of Randlett's 'Decorative Star' appeared in an article by Robert Harbin in Woman's Own magazine of March 1970.

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Randlett's 'Bull Mask' appeared in Issue 11 of 'The Flapping Bird':

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Randlett's 'Purse' appeared in Issue 12 of 'The Flapping Bird':

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1971

Randlett's 'Binary Star' (2-part modular) appeared in Issue 15 of 'The Flapping Bird':

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1974

Randlett's 'Veiltail Goldfish' in Issue 19 of 'The Flapping Bird':

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