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Personal copies of David Douglas of "The Journal of Sir Walter Scott" (1890) and "Familiar Letters of Sir Walter Scott", extra-illustrated with correspondence

 Fonds — Box: CLX-A-481
Identifier: Coll-2098

Scope and Contents

This fonds consists of publisher and editor David Douglas' personal copies of The Journal of Sir Walter Scott (1890, vol. I and II) and Familiar Letters of Sir Walter Scott (1894, vol. I and II), extra-illustrated with correspondence.

David Douglas, an Edinburgh publisher, oversaw the editing and publication of The Journal of Sir Walter Scott in 1890 and Familiar Letters of Sir Walter Scott in 1894. While he meticulously prepared his personal copies, he also distributed volumes to various interested parties, including two Prime Ministers (Gladstone and Rosebery), publishers (Murray, Macmillan, and Bentley), authors, scholars, descendants of correspondents (many of whom contributed letters), a handful of people who encountered Scott when they were young, others who owned items associated with Scott, etc.

Douglas enriched his own copies by extra-illustrating them primarily with letters received in response to his gifts. Some additional letters were included, offering insights about the recipients' interactions with the volumes and Scott himself. This collection of correspondences, detailed below, goes beyond mere expressions of gratitude; many letters are substantial and provide significant context.

"Journal of Sir Walter Scott", vol. I extra-illustrated with letters, most bound in, most from recipients of copies as gifts:

  1. MMMS (postcard, loose) M.M. Maxwell Scott, Scottish author of historical novels and non-fiction and the great-granddaughter of Walter Scott.
  2. [Gardner? The College, Glasgow; loose).
  3. George Grove, (1820 -1900), engineer and writer on music, known as the founding editor of Grove's Dictionary of Music.
  4. David Douglas himself (substantial, loose), publisher and editor of the Letters and the Journal, 8 closely written pages to unknown correspondent (details below).
  5. Alfred Ainger, biographer and critic.
  6. Archibald Constable, grandson of Scott's publisher.
  7. P. Hume Brown, Scottish historian and professor
  8. J.A. Hume
  9. [G.W. ReId?]
  10. F.M.F. Skene, (Felicia), author (inc. Greece residence).
  11. S.H. Butcher, classicist, translator.
  12. S.R. Crockett, "Kailyard" novelist.
  13. [Campbell; St Leonards]
  14. De Bury.
  15. J.R. Findlay, Scottish newspaper owner and philanthropist.
  16. A. Patchett Martin, Australian writer and literary critic.
  17. A. Lang [Andrew Lang], writer.
  18. Alexander Ireland (substantial, 5pp.), (1810-1894) was a Scottish journalist, man of letters, and bibliophile.
  19. [John Hullin?]
  20. Duke of Argyll
  21. W.E. H. (William Ernest Henley (23 August 1849 - 11 July 1903) was a British poet, writer, critic and editor in late Victorian England.)
  22. William Ewart Gladstone, sometime Prime Minister.
  23. J. L. Russell.
  24. Earl of Rosebery, sometime Prime Minister). Substantial letter.
  25. [Rev] Walter Smith.
  26. George Barclay.
  27. Alfred Ainger, biographer and critic.
  28. Napier & Ettrick
  29. Sir George Webbe Dasent, D. C. L. (1817-1896), translator of folk tales and contributor to The Times.
  30. Daniel Wilson, Scottish-born Canadian archaeologist, ethnologist and author.
  31. M.M. Maxwell Scott, Scottish author of historical novels and non-fiction and the great-granddaughter of Walter Scott.
  32. Louisa A. Lane.
  33. George Bentley, publisher.
  34. Annie Fields, American writer.
  35. William Down & Connor
  36. D.S. Kellogg.
  37. G.G. Bradley.
  38. Felicia M.F. Skene, author.
  39. Unsigned.
  40. W.J. Bruce, clerk to the United States Senate Committee on Libraries.
  41. James B. Brown.
  42. C.D. Yonge [Charles Duke Yonge, historian, classicist and cricketer].
  43. Francis Robert Davies, very substantial.
  44. C.D. Yonge.
  45. Joseph Maxwell Scott.
  46. Francis Robert Davies (2).
  47. Thomas Scott Huxley.
  48. Thomas Scott Huxley.
  49. C.D. Yonge.
  50. James Joseph Barrett, self-styled poet.
  51. Will. Alexander, The Daily Free Press, Aberdeen.
  52. John Ross Macduff, Scottish divine and a prolific author of religious essays.
  53. Will. Alexander, The Daily Free Press, Aberdeen.
  54. M. van Rensselaer, D.D.
  55. Daniel Wilson. Loose.

The letters have been numbered in pencil but the numbering is unreliable. Several individual letters are given two numbers. For example, One letter bt W.H. Ireland is initially numbered "14" but "15" is written on the second half. The van Rensselaar and Daniel Wilson are unnumbered.

Vol. II does not contain enclosed letters.

There is a copy of a drawing made of Scott and Family in Rome on inner back cover of each volume, 10 x 8 cm, borrowed from Louisa A. Lane who mentions it in her letter in this collection. The copy drawing in vol.II is accompanied by a loose note, 6 x 8.5cm, as follows: "The sketch at end of Vol II made in Rome. Lord Napier of Ettrick (Thirlestane) obtained loan of it from Lady in Park Lane. It did not turn out very well when reproduced, so only a few copies were made & put at end of few volumes. Canon Ainger got one. [signed] S.B.D. [presumably Douglas's wife, Sarah Burns Douglas]."

"Familiar Letters of Sir Walter Scott", vol. 1, extra-illustrated with letters mainly from recipients of the book as gifts, letters as follows:

  1. James Fenimore Cooper, grandson of the Author. Loose.
  2. W.J. [Bruce? illegible]. If so, W.J. Bruce was the clerk to the United States Senate Committee on Libraries. Loose.
  3. F. Scott Huxley.
  4. F. Scott Huxley.
  5. F. Scott Huxley.
  6. Annie Wemyss.
  7. C. Dick Lauder.
  8. Illegible (Lander House, Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh).
  9. Helen Baillie.
  10. W.H. Baillie. Artist.
  11. Illegible (Wallsend).
  12. G.D. Boyle, Dean of Salisbury.
  13. Alfred Ainger, biographer and critic.
  14. Joanna B. Richardson.
  15. John Murray (1893), publisher.
  16. Archibald Constable (1893), grandson of Scott's publisher.
  17. Felicia M. F. Skene, author.
  18. J. Dykes Campbell, Scottish merchant and writer, pioneer biographer of Coleridge.
  19. Alex[ander] Macmillan, publisher (signed shakily, body of letter secretarial).
  20. [J. Moncrieff?].
  21. Jane Dundas.
  22. George Bentley, publisher.
  23. [G.W. Read?].
  24. Walter F. Lyon, artist.
  25. M.M. Maxwell Scott, Scottish author of historical novels and non-fiction and the great-granddaughter of the novelist Walter Scott.

"Familiar Letters of Sir Walter Scott", vol.2, also extra-illustrated with letters from the following:

  1. G.T. Clark, (Colonel George Thomas Clark (1809 - 1898), surgeon and engineer.
  2. John Skelton.
  3. George Smith.
  4. Mary A. Baillie Hamilton.
  5. James Dyke Campbell, pioneer biographer of Coleridge.
  6. Initials, Royalty, Foreign Office.
  7. G.T. Clark, surgeon and engineer.
  8. S. Reynolds Hole, Very Rev Dr Samuel Reynolds Hole (1819 -1904) English Anglican priest, author and horticulturalist.
  9. Thomas Hughes, QC (1822 -1896), lawyer, judge, politician and author.
  10. Thomas Hughes, QC (1822 -1896), lawyer, judge, politician and author.
  11. George Grove (1820 -1900), engineer and writer on music, known as the founding editor of Grove's Dictionary of Music.
  12. John Dowden, presumably (1840 - 30 1910), Irish-born bishop and ecclesiastical historian. He served in the Scottish Episcopal Church as the Bishop of Edinburgh.
  13. Jane W. Watt.
  14. Paul de Remusat (see contribution to the Journal), (1831-1897), son of the French politician Charles de Rémusat, became a distinguished journalist and writer.
  15. Annie Adams Fields (1834 -1915) was an American writer. Letter unsigned.
  16. Edward Dowden, critic and poet.
  17. David Masson, Scottish academic, supporter of women's suffrage, literary critic.
  18. Thomas Letherbrow, businessman and artist in Manchester.

The letters have been numbered in pencil (except the loose ones) but the numbering is unreliable. Several individual letters are given two numbers (or more). But the collection appears complete (no removals).

Also included are a letter by John Muir, pioneer environmentalist (letter dated 31 December 1893), and one by Oliver Wendell Holmes (dated 3 December 1893), formerly extracted from these volumes and purchased at the same time.

Dates

  • Creation: 1890-1894

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Physical Description

The Journal of Sir Walter Scott: 2 vols, Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1890. Fine binding, blue full morocco gt, raised bands, book plate "Ex Libris DAVID DOUGLAS", inside front covers of both volumes; pages reinforced. Some wear but attractive set. With copies of a drawing made of Scott and Family in Rome on inner back cover of each volume, 10 x 8cm, borrowed from Louisa A. Lane who mentions it in her letter in this collection.

Familiar Letters of Sir Walter Scott: 2 vols, Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1894. Fine binding, blue full morocco gt, raised bands, top edge gt, book plate "Ex Libris DAVID DOUGLAS", inside front covers of both volumes; pages reinforced.

Many of the letters are loose; please handle the volumes with care.

Conditions Governing Access

Open. Please contact the repository in advance.

Extent

4 Volumes

1 folder

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased in July 2022. Accession no. SC-Acc-2023-0135.

Related Materials

Coll-1147: Letters of, and other papers relating to, Sir Walter Scott.

Coll-1022: The Corson Collection of Sir Walter Scott materials.

Physical Description

The Journal of Sir Walter Scott: 2 vols, Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1890. Fine binding, blue full morocco gt, raised bands, book plate "Ex Libris DAVID DOUGLAS", inside front covers of both volumes; pages reinforced. Some wear but attractive set. With copies of a drawing made of Scott and Family in Rome on inner back cover of each volume, 10 x 8cm, borrowed from Louisa A. Lane who mentions it in her letter in this collection.

Familiar Letters of Sir Walter Scott: 2 vols, Edinburgh: David Douglas, 1894. Fine binding, blue full morocco gt, raised bands, top edge gt, book plate "Ex Libris DAVID DOUGLAS", inside front covers of both volumes; pages reinforced.

Many of the letters are loose; please handle the volumes with care.

Processing Information

Catalogued by Aline Brodin in September 2023, using a description provided by the seller.

Subjects

Related Names

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Personal copies of published and editor, David Douglas of "The Journal of Sir Walter Scott" (1890) and "Familiar Letters of Sir Walter Scott" , extra-illustrated with correspondence, 1890-1894
Author
Aline Brodin
Date
September 2023
Description rules
Isad(G)2
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Physical Storage Information

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository

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