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Poetry album of Louisa Agnes Czarnecki

 Fonds — Box: CLX-A-480
Identifier: Coll-2090

Content Description

This is an album dated 1861 belonging to Scottish poet Louisa Agnes Czarnecki, who was married to Arthur Antoine Czarnecki, a Polish exile residing in Scotland. The album primarily focuses on politically engaged poetry that vehemently protests against "Russian atrocities" while celebrating the triumph of Garibaldi in Italy.

The volume comprises a variety of interesting elements, including original manuscript poetry written by Czarnecki herself. These poems are accompanied by carefully mounted newspaper clippings featuring some of her published poems, adorned with additional decoration and annotations. Another highlight is the inclusion of albumen carte de visite photographs featuring notable historical figures and some of Czarnecki's personal heroes, such as Giuseppe Garibaldi, Victor Hugo, Caroline Miolan-Carvalho, Enrico Cialdini, Oliver Cromwell, Queen Victoria, Henry VIII, and many more.

Alongside the political and commemorative contents, the album also incorporates numerous Christian images, adding a religious dimension to Czarnecki's collection.

Overall, this album of Louisa Agnes Czarnecki presents a captivating fusion of politically charged poetry, historical documentation, and visual memorabilia, offering a unique insight into the creative and ideological pursuits of a Scottish poet during her time.

Dates

  • Creation: 1861

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Condition Description

The album (25 x 30 cm) is bound in red crushed morocco with gilt decoration and lettering to the upper board; lower board sympathetically replaced; additional cloth strengthening to the inner hinges. Yellow coated endpapers, 56 album pages with tissue overlays.

Conditions Governing Access

Open. Please contact the repository in advance.

Extent

1 album ; 25 x 30 cm

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased in March 2022. Accession no. SC-Acc-2023-0107.

Condition Description

The album (25 x 30 cm) is bound in red crushed morocco with gilt decoration and lettering to the upper board; lower board sympathetically replaced; additional cloth strengthening to the inner hinges. Yellow coated endpapers, 56 album pages with tissue overlays.

Processing Information

Catalogued by Aline Brodin in June 2023, using information from the seller.

Title
Poetry album of Louisa Agnes Czarnecki, 1861
Author
Aline Brodin
Date
June 2023
Description rules
Isad(G)2
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository

Contact:
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379