University of Edinburgh Library -- Legacy shelfmark sequence: Da-Dp
Subject
Subject Source: Local sources
Scope Note: This shelfmark (or press mark) sequence originated within the Strong Room Library in 'Old College', likely beginning around 1909 (the first Strong Room having been constructed 1905-1909). Each two-letter prefix referred to a block of shelving, which roughly mapped to a category or grouping of items. The first number then referred to the shelf and the final number to the item itself. As collections expanded and were moved, this precise correlation broke down but most of the items retained their shelfmarks.
Da
University Archives. Originally upper floor, north wall of the Strong Room. This later evolved into a crude classification scheme before being abandoned in favour of regular archival arrangement. Items bearing these legacy shelfmarks can still be identified, particularly early Library records which occupied Da.1 and Da.2.
Db
Originally used for mediaeval manuscripts. In the early 20th century, pre-Reformation manuscripts from across the library were brought together to form the Western Medieval Manuscripts collection, under the shelfmark "MS".
Dc
Manuscripts. Mostly bound. Originally on upper floor, front of the Strong Room. This part of the sequence is largely intact, with these shelfmarks now being retained as identifiers of physical location. The items themselves have all been given regular archival reference codes.
Dd
Printed, including Clement Litill. Originally on upper floor, front, south wall of Strong Room.
De
Printed, including the Drummond of Hawthornden collection (largely printed but with some manuscript enclosures from the latter). Originally on the upper floor, back, west wall of the Strong Room. This part of the sequence is intact.
Df
Printed. Originally on the upper floor, back, east wall of the Strong Room. This part of the sequence is intact.
Dh
Printed, including Lutheran tracts. Originally on the upper floor, back of the Strong Room. This part of the sequence is intact.
Dk
Manuscript. Originally in the centre case of the Strong Room, opposite Dh. This part of the sequence is largely intact, with these shelfmarks now being retained as identifiers of physical location. The items themselves have all been given regular archival reference codes.
Dm
Music. Originally in the centre cases of the Strong Room.
Dn
Bindings. Originally in the centre cases of the Strong Room.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Papers of David Gregory
Fonds
Identifier: Coll-33
Scope and Contents
The papers of David Gregory consist of:
bound manuscripts of mathematical and personal papers by both David Gregory and James Gregory
bound manuscripts Lectiones Mechanicae Sive Geometria de Motu parts 1-4 (1689-1690)
bound manuscripts of treatises on mathematics and astronomy (1683-1694)
bound manuscripts ...
Dates:
1652-1706
Volume entitled "Case of the University of Edinburgh", relating to the institution of a Professorship of Surgery by the Royal College of Surgeons
Fonds — Volume Dc.1.5
Identifier: Coll-2291
Scope and Contents
Manuscript volume entitled "Case of the University of Edinburgh; In relation to The Recent Institution of a Professorship of Surgery by the Royal College of Surgeons", 1804. It contains a history of appointed professorships at the university since its founding; a history of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh; a copy of meeting minutes of the College of Surgeons on the event of presenting their application for a professorship at the university. Volume signed by "R. Hamilton",...
Dates:
1804-1805