Miscellaneous single letters and small collections of correspondence chiefly of nineteenth century literary and scientific figures.
Scope and Contents
The manuscript includes groups of letters, 1846-1858, of George Combe to Robert Dunn (folios 19-38), of James Nasmyth to Henry Bicknell, son-in-law of the painter David Roberts, 1859-1879 (folios 140-176), of John Rae, the Arctic explorer, to Gladys Holman-Hunt, 1883-1893 (folios 186-223), and of James J Maclntyre to his brother Patrick, vividly describing a voyage from Liverpool to Buenos Aires, 1818-1821 (folios 98-121). A letter, 1846, of the poet David Stevenson includes one of his poems, 'Auld Hessilhead', which was published after his death in ‘Poems by David Stevenson’ (folio 248).
Dates
- Creation: 19th century.
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Conditions Governing Use
Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.
Extent
270 Leaves ; Folio and under.
Language of Materials
Undetermined
Arrangement
270 folios.
The letters are arranged alphabetically under the writer's name.
Custodial History
This manuscript has been formed from various accessions:
folio 3, presented, 1961, by Mrs E Bradmore, Portsmouth;
folios 5-9, 61, 138, 243, bought, Sotheby's, 23 October 1967, lot 224;
folios 80-83, 123, transferred, 1970, from the Department of Printed Books;
folios 125-126, presented, 1967, by Mrs S Friel, Crieff;
folios 132, presented, 1971, by Mrs N A Brackett, Edinburgh;
folios 186-223, bought, Sotheby’s, 3 May 1971, lot 287;
folios 234-242, presented, 1971, by Andrew Wishart, Edinburgh;
folio 252, bought, Sotheby’s, 15 June 1971, lot 1674;
folios 254, bought, Sotheby’s, 18 November 1969, lot 385;
the rest bought elsewhere at various dates, 1967-1971.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Various, 1961-1971.
Bibliography
Genre / Form
- Title
- National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
- Author
- National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division
- Description rules
- International Standard for Archival Description - General
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700
manuscripts@nls.uk