Today's Object of the Week is a work of art which will soon be hanging on the wall of a recently refurbished library.

A painting of a landmark building in Darlngton has been bought by the town's MP - and it will soon be hanging on the wall of the buIlding it depicts.

The original piece of artwork was drawn and painted by local artist Brian Ramsey as part of a 'Myriorama' he collaborated on with Phil Sculthorpe in 2021.

The Crown Street library work was joined by paintings of The Northern Echo's former headquarters in Priestgate, the Hole in the Wall pub in ther Market Square, the former Guru shop in Blackwellgate, and the Russian canon in South Park among the subjects.

The Northern Echo: The Illistration of Darlington's Crown Street Library by Brian Ramsey was purchased by MP Peter GibsonThe Illistration of Darlington's Crown Street Library by Brian Ramsey was purchased by MP Peter Gibson (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Mr Ramsey's illustrations are in the form of a modern myrioama - a style popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. 

Mr Sculthorpe, from Darlington, wrote poems, taking their inspiration from the history and locations of the town, to accompany them.

The poem for the Crown Street library read: 

The ghost of W. T. Stead’s dog Regularly cocks a leg Over the stone outside the library That memorialises his master. Does it care that Stead Was a most eminent Victorian, Regarded as the inventor of modern journalism: Editor of The Northern Echo Aged only twenty-two; Lifetime campaigner against vice And the exploitation of the poor, Whose combative spirit deserved - and appropriately got - A most newsworthy end By being drowned on The Titanic? No - but then No man is a hero to his dog. It just misses The hand that fed him.

Peter Gibson MP for Darlington has now presented the Crown Street artwork to Darlington Library to commemorate their reopening.

The historic Grade II listed building on Crown Street reopened in September after a total of £3.7m was invested to restore its historical features, while updating and modernising its facilities.

Having spotted the original works at a recent exhibition that Mr Ramsey was holding, Mr Gibson purchased the artwork for display in the newly refurbished Crown Street Library.

The Northern Echo: Artist Brian Ramsey, whose illustrations formed part of an exhibition of landmark buildings in DarlingtonArtist Brian Ramsey, whose illustrations formed part of an exhibition of landmark buildings in Darlington (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Read about previous Objects of the Week here:

Why this North East terrace of brick built colliery houses is called Fairy Street

Pantomime legend reveals what tempted him to start his career in Darlington

What comes to mind when you think of Newton Aycliffe? I'll bet it's not this

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He said: “I have presented an original piece of art to the Darlington libraries team in recognition of their incredible transformation of Crown Street Library and to recognise the hard work done by the team to protect and preserve the library for future generations.”

Suzy Hill, Darlington Library manager added: “Enormous thanks to Peter Gibson MP for donating this beautiful piece of original artwork by the superbly talented Brian Ramsey.

“Watch this space to find out where we will showcase this for all to see in our recently restored Victorian library."