SCOTLAND

2pp., folio. Tastefully printed in old-fashioned style on both sides of a sheet of thick wove 37 x 24.5 cm paper. Aged and worn, with chipping and closed tears to three edges. Inscribed by Mitchison at head of first page: 'Robert & Sylvia Lynd with best wishes from N. M. !' Twelve verses, followed by twelve pseud-scholarly 'Notes' (number 10 refers to a 'Prof. Bumpfendorf'). A topical political spoof, with the last verse reading: 'I'll sing you twelve, oh. | Pure Grow the Little Ones, | What is your twelve, oh?

Printed in grey half-tone on one side of a piece of 13 x 20.5 card. In fair condition: aged and a little grubby. With Gaelic-style lettering and design, with vignette engraving of Bishop's Castle in top right-hand corner. The words 'Mr & Miss Munro-Fraser' neatly added in manuscript. From the papers of the Hebridean folklorist Marjory Kennedy-Fraser and her daughter Patuffa.

In 1826 Lieut-Col. Alexander Mackenzie, eldest son of Colonel Robert Mackenzie of Milnmount, assumed the dormant baronetcies of Tarbat and Royston [ALEXANDERMACKENZIE OF ROYSTON CROMARTY TARBET GRANDVILLE.], despite their having been forfeited under attainder in 1763. On his death without issue in 1841 his only brother Sir James Sutherland Mackenzie also assumed the titles. He died unmarried and insane on the 24 November 1858. The claim to which the present documents relate does not appear to have been pursued, and the baronetcies have remained dormant.

The background to the collection is simply stated. On the death of the 15th Earl of Glencairn in 1796 the title became dormant. It was claimed by Fergusson (praised by Boswell but dismissed by Johnson as 'a vile Whig' and derided by Burns as 'aith-detesting chaste Kilkerran') as heir of the line of the 10th Earl. Fergusson's claim was opposed by Sir Walter Montgomery Cunningham of Corshill, as presumed heir male along with Lady Henriet Don, sister of the 15th Earl, and wife of Sir Alexander Don of Newton Don, Roxburghshire.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. On aged and lightly-creased paper, with one stain in margin. This offprint is scarce: the only copies on COPAC at the National Library of Scotland and St Andrews.

2pp., folio. In fair condition, on aged and lightly creased and chipped paper. The whole of the first page is filled in the same hand in two columns, with the first column beginning '4 Cops, 1 Peck, or "Sleek"; i.e. a sleekit peck - not a heaped one, as with potatoes or apples. | 4 pecks make 3 Imperial or Winchester bushels. | 1 Carlisle Bushel is 4. pks. 1 or 3 imp. Bushels.' The right-hand column begins: '1. Imp. Bush. of Barley weighs 56 lbs. The common sized cart will hold 24 pks. (or sleeks): or 18 Imp.

Both 2pp., 12mo, on bifoliums, and both good, on lightly-aged paper. Letter One: He is sorry Hammerton and his wife came back 'to a very cold & stormy time', but is glad that he could not 'inaugurate your History at present. I am too busy to do anything at it. Work only increases as the world grows older.' He gives the time of his setting of from London to 'Turkey via Bulgaria, hoping not to be shot on the way', and the address of Rev. Dr R. Frew, with whom he is staying in London. Letter Two: He thanks Hammerton 'for the S. Blake [a .

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Good, on lightly-aged paper. In original envelope, with stamp, three postmarks and red wax seal, addressed by Southesk to 'John J. Baron Esq. | 48 Griffin Street | Wilton | Blackburn | England.' Unaware that Baron is a barefaced autograph hunter, he expresses regret that, having no copies of his own works to hand, he is 'unable to accede to the very gratifying request of the lady referred to by you, as desirous to have two verses of my poems, in my own handwriting'.

8pp., 12mo. On two bifoliums. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. With envelope, with Penny Red stamp and circular postmark in black ink ('B | LERWICK | 5 NO | 80'), addressed to 'The Revd. | C. W. Shepherd | Trosley Rectory | N Maidstone | Kent | England'. Balston and his companion on the trip Edward Bartlett would go on to collaborate with Shepherd on the 1907 publication 'Notes on the Birds of Kent'. The letter begins: 'Dear Shepherd | Here we are in the Arctic Regions, & it being Sunday & snowing fast, are not able to get out, so I sit down to spin you a yarn.

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. The letter reads: 'My dear Ella: | It wd be very kind if you cd come to see me as I have never recovered & am downstairs again. - Will you come to tea to-day or tomorrow. I want somebody to play with me!'

4pp., 12mo. Thirty lines. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with traces of mount at head of second page. Steell is enclosing 'a catalogue of the most recent works of the kind you desire', and points out that 'the short biographical sketches of deceased Scottish artists, in connection with our catalogue, was only printed [last word underlined] by Messrs. Constable'. He ends by offering his 'warmest wishes for the married couple' - in 1881 Christie's seventeen-year-old daughter Alice married Robert King Stewart, KBE, of Murdostoun Castle, Lanarkshire.

Possibly submitted by the 'Mr William Crosbie, wine and spirit merchant', whose death at Castle Douglas on 15 March 1821 is recorded in Blackwood's Magazine, April 1821. 1p., 8vo. Neatly written out on watermarked laid paper. Headed 'Fanny Wilson for fathers funeral | To William Crosbie | 1810'. Eleven entries for the funeral on 1 October 1812, including two plum cakes, '11 Cakes Short Bread'; '2 Gallons <?> Rum' and '2 1/4 ditto Whisky'; '6 Bottles Old Port' and '6 ditto Sherry'. Receipt of payment on 5 November at foot, signed by Crosbie.

2pp., 12mo. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. He begins: 'I have just received your work on the productive resources of India for which I beg to offer you my best thanks.' The subject has always been to him 'one of the deepest interest', and he rejoices that 'a gentleman of your knowledge has directed his attention to it'.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Very good.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. With remains of envelope, addressed by Rogers. He states that his 'Boswelliana', which was 'published at a guinea can be got for twelve shillings', and that 'a bookseller has undertaken to hunt for 'A Century of Scottish Life' which has long been sold off; it will cost you six shillings - six was the original price.' After forwarding the address of Sabine Baring-Gould he states that he is 'now living in Edinburgh at the above address'.

1828: 2pp., 4to. 'Dalmahoy nr Edinburgh | March 3d 1828'. Signed 'Morton'. In fair condition, lightly-aged and with a short closed tear along one fold.

3pp., 12mo. On bifolium. 50 lines. On aged and creased paper, with glue from mounting in album on reverse of second leaf, which carries the address. The letter begins: 'What think you of the Bazaar for a title for your new work.

Five lines [one page], 12mo, tipped on to backing paper [bifolium]. letter creased but text clear and complete: "Place and date] | The Earl of Mar has been, & is daily, so ill behaved to by the people in Scotland that he is obliged to decline subscribing to them.-" See scan on my website.

All four items in fair condition, on lightly-aged paper. All written in Murray's distinctive wavy hand. Letter One: 15 December 1898. 3pp., 12mo. He begins by asking Mann to 'send the proceeds for the enclosed cheque into the proper hands to discharge my debt for the pencils'. He 'had to run down by night mail on Sunday night & back on Monday night, to attend the funeral of my dear old friend James Muir who died after a very short illness'. He expresses sympathy for 'Poor Brough'.

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. In original envelope, with black wax armorial seal, addressed by Dalhousie to 'Mr. Forbes | 76 Queen Street | Edinr.' Very good, on lightly-aged paper. Dealing with his 'own Servant' Wood, first, he states that he has been with him for five years, 'in keeping my Cloaths, and my Butler latterly altogether; I have found him at all times sober, attentive active, and I believe him perfectly honest, & trustworthy. He has kept my house accounts, my Cellar Books, & all house matters regarding the men Servants, & that both at home and abroad to my satisfaction.

1p., 8vo. Good, on lightly-creased paper. He writes that he was 'very interested' to get Brill's letter. 'I will certainly work on something: I have many ideas, and you will probably be able to select something from what I will show you.' He suggests 'a drink at the Chelsea Arts Club one evening? I now have an answering machine, so you can leave a message there - or even with Monica at the College'.

The two items and the folder are all lightly-aged and in good condition. Green card folder, with 'Heywood's Authentic Series of Press Biographies. | Major P. G. Craigie, C.B.' and 'C/21' printed on front. The printed biography is 9pp., 8vo, on nine loose leaves attached to one another by a brass stud. The engraving, by Art Repro Co, from a photograph by Reinhold Thiele & Co. of Chancery Lane, is on a piece of thick paper 29 x 21 cm. Dimensions of plate 15.5 x 10.5 cm. A bearded Craigie stands in formal attire with right hand in pocket.

165pp., 4to. In a single (despite plural 'Books' in title) ruled notebook.Title on the front pastedown: 'ST. ANDREWS COLLEGES CHESS CLUB | SECRETARY'S BOOKS.' The first of the Secretaries' annual reports, 'Given at the A. G. M. on February 26th. 1957' by Robert J. V. Logan states that at the time it is 'just over three months since the Club came into re-existence [...] The Club has been meeting on Tuesday evenings in Joe's Café, where members have been playing each other.' Signatures of Grant Waller, John Smail, Michael A. Brewer, Duncan Pirie, R. H. Billington, Harry Cleghorn, W. J. P.

4pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. He is delighted that 'any thing should induce you to send me even the few lines you have written', and declares that he will 'always be most happy to do anything in my power to serve any friend of yours, and not the less that the name of Gairbraid and all its pleasant recollections is connected therewith.' He asks for news of the recipient's health, and that of 'my aunt Mrs Haldane'. The summer in Greece has been a hot one, and 'the people of Athens are kept in a state of alarm by repeated shocks of earthquakes.

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper, with thin strip from mount adhering to blank reverse. Addressed to 'W. G. Herdman Esqr. | Liverpool'. If his brother's picture ('Mr J. E. Lauder') and his own 'are not by this time sent off'', he would like this done immediately, 'as they must be in Edinh. by the 1st of Feby.'

2pp., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He regrets that 'too much time has elapsed' since her letter to 'our Mary': 'I wished to write sooner but I have missed doing so through great pressure of various urgent engagements'. He is enclosing (not present) 'an introduction to Prof. Carey Foster, which I hope may be useful unless you have already got the advice you wanted'. The recipient is probably a member of the family of Sir Otto Jaffe (1846-1929), Lord Mayor of Belfast.

1p., 12mo. Good, on lightly-aged paper. He is enclosing a cheque in payment of Lyndon's fees, 'and with best thanks for your kind attention'.

3pp., 12mo. Bifolium. Watermarked 'JOYNSON | 1876'. Fair, on lightly-aged paper, with minor staining from mount at foot of second leaf. Written in a hasty, untidy hand. The recipient appears to be 'My dear Hornby', 'Horley' or 'Howley'. Faed writes that he is 'slaving away chopping and changing sometimes worse and sometimes better (I hope) on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. 7th.

2pp., 12mo. Fair, on lightly-aged paper. He thanks her for her letter and announces a date on which 'your two sisters your daughter and yourself' can 'dine with my sister and myself at The Hill, Hampstead'. He expects that his niece 'Miss Emily Paul' will be staying with him at that time. He ends by saying that if the hour of the dinner is too early for Mrs Kennedy-Fraser's 'afternoon engagement', it can be altered to 'whatever time is most convenient for yourself'.

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.