Illuminated calligraphic document welcoming Sir James Bourchier Innes, 14th Baronet of Balveny and Edingight, on his accession to the title, with 37 signatures on behalf of the 'Tenantry of the Estate of Edingight'.

On one side of a piece of thin light-brown card, 41.5 x 31cm. In very good condition. What appears to be the calligrapher's tiny monogram in the bottom right-hand corner. A striking document which has, despite the date, a strangely 'New Age' feel about it. Illuminated in a range of pastel colours, picked out in gold, around the text at the head and down the margins, with illustrations of a church, a mountain and, at the head, the Innes family home. The calligraphy has a modern feel to it, with Celtic influences. The text begins: 'To | SIR JAMES BOURCHIER INNES | BARONET | OF BALVENY AND EDINGIGHT | The Tenantry of the Estate of Edingight in the Parishes of Grange and Fordyce and County of Banff desire to offer you their goodwill and a hearty welcome on your accession to the Baronetcy of Balveny and Edingight & your succession to the Estates of your Ancestors. The most cordial relatinship has always existed between Landlord & Tenant on the Edingight Estate, and we, as your Tenants must leave nothing undone to strengthen further the bonds of esteem and affection which already bind us to your family.' In three columns at the foot of the document are three columns of signatures, headed 'Signed on behalf of the Tenantry: - June 1920.' The signatures appear genuine, but the phrase 'on behalf of' may suggest that: first, the calligrapher produced facsimiles from examples of signatures, in order to ensure a neatness to the list; or second, that some of the individuals were illiterate, and got another party to sign for them.