Box CLX-A-1591

Content Description This is an eighteenth-century perspective view (also called "peepshow", or in the original German Guckkastendioramen) produced by German engraver and publisher Martin Engelbrecht. Printed on thin paper, from etched copper plates, and coloured in watercolour, it depicts a miniature contemporary library, complete with library users reading, discoursing, or simply admiring the shelves.Martin Engelbrecht of Augsburg, Germany started creating...

Scope and Contents This is a small manuscript notebook with a metal clasp, written by Scottish novelist Catherine Sinclair in 1845. It relates the last moments of her sister Helen, as indiciated on the title page: "Private Memorials of Helen Late Mrs Stewart of Physgill - Written for her children at the request of Mary Stewart by her Sister Catherine Sinclair".The notebook opens with the following words from Catherine Sinclair: "Having attended my sister Helen through the last two months of her...

Scope and Contents This folding paper manuscript (also known as parabaik) was created in Burma by the Shan people in the early 20th century. It is painted on mulberry bark paper using silvered ink, and displays cosmology symbols and talismans that were used by monks or a master Sala as a reference for tattoo designs and auspicious dates.The art of tattoo in South East Asia, especially in Burma, encompasses ritual as well as decoration. Acquiring tattoos at the Buddhist Temple would ensure the owner...

Scope and Contents Complete mimeographed typescript of the entire proceedings of the 1962 International Writers Conference, held on 20-24 August 1962 at the McEwan Hall, Edinburgh, during that year's Edinburgh Festival.The conference's list of delegates included such luminaries as Norman Mailer, Colin McInnes, Henry Miller, Alexander Trocchi, Mary McCarthy and a host of other over 70 writter in all. The career of William Burroughs was effectively launched by his contributions to the event, on the...

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Autograph Letter Signed from William Thomson to Cardinal Stefano Borgia in Rome, discussing the properties of a newly-discovered flexible stone from Brazil (probably Itacolumite, a stone which is flexible when cut into thin strips, and which is found in Minas Gerais, Brazil. It is associated with the presence of diamonds.) and providing an Italian translation of part of James Hutton's paper on the subject. Letter in Italian, dated 13 August 1797.

Scope and Contents Programme from the 1937 Revel at the Edinburgh College of Art, representing feasting characters inspired by an ancient Greco-Roman theme. The festivities included a dinner, stunts, music and dancing. The programme belonged to Irene Watson Miller, who studied at Edinburgh College of Art in the 1930s.The Revel is a yearly event that takes place at Edinburgh College of Art and dates back to 1909. It is a themed party with costumes, scenery, performances and dancing. Every year the...

Scope and Contents This is an antograph letter signed "Cha. Lyell", sent by Charles Lyell to an unnamed individual, dated 24 April 1874, 73 Harley Street, London. In this letter he thanks his correspondent for "the additional list of Aldeby shells", explaining that he has completed "[his] new edition of the Students Elements [of Geology]" and that he "[had the assistance of Mr Searles Wood". He goes on to discuss papers and maps relating to the geology of the Rhine which Lyell himself had found instructive,...

Scope and Contents Autograph Letter Signed from Thomas Carlyle, Regent Street, to H. Grant, Gray's Inn, Friday, dated in another hand September 1835.The letter reads: "I was this far on my road to the J. H. [?] but find now it will not do. Unluckily we are all engaged tonight. I should like much to see Garnier again (whom I did not suspect to be in town at present), could he not contrive to call on me, any day - before Sunday, which indeed I grieve to see is but one solitary...

Scope and Contents Two Autograph Letters Signed from James Halliwell (later Halliwell-Phillipps) to Sir William Tite (1798-1873, architect). Both sent from 6 St Mary's Place, West Brampton, London, 20th May 1865 and 1st January 1866.In the first letter dated 20 May 1865, Halliwell gives his professional advice on a copy of a book with an "interesting connexion to Shakespeare" that Tite is interested in for his collection. He also advises on how much the book would fetch at a sale, and how much to...

Scope and Contents A rare notice announcing the resuming of meetings of the Edinburgh Hunterian Medical Society. It advertises the lectures of Dr. Lonsdale, Dr. Bates (on epilepsy) and Dr. Mackay (on dystentery) at a meeting of the 1841 Edinburgh Hunterian Medical Society, held at Societies' Hall at Edinburgh University on the 3rd of November 1841.The handbill reads as follows: "This society will resume its meetings on Wednesday by the 10th November 1841. After an address from the President, an...