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 340 Collections and/or Records:
Historia destructionis Troiae, by Guido delle Colonne, 15th century
Item
Identifier: MS 188
Contents
Historia destructionis Troiae is an account of Troy and its destruction in the Trojan War, written in Latin verse. It was originally composed in the 13th century by Sicilian author, Guido delle Colonne. Guido claimed to have written the piece in just 71 days.The poem begins on f. 1r with the Prologue. The first line reads: Ut si cotidie vetera recentibus obruant...The Prologue ends on f. 1v, with ...
Dates:
15th century
Historia Scholastica by Petrus Comestor , 13th century
Item
Identifier: MS 17
Scope and Contents
The manuscript contains the Historia Scholastica, an abridged version of the Bible written around 1170 by Petrus Comestor for the students of the cathedral school of Paris. The text consists in the retelling of stories (hence the name historia) taken from the Bible and in their explanation. It became an essential part of the curriculum of the theological school and greatly influenced popular Bibles produced in the 13th and...
Dates:
13th century
Historia Scholastica by Petrus Comestor , 13h century
Item
Identifier: MS 18
Scope and Contents
The manuscript contains the Historia Scholastica, an abridged version of the Bible written around 1170 by Petrus Comestor for the students of the cathedral school of Paris. The text consists in the retelling of stories (hence the name historia) taken from the Bible and in their explanation. It became an essential part of the curriculum of the theological school and greatly influenced popular Bibles produced in the 13th and...
Dates:
13h century
Historiae Ecclesiasticae Tripartitae Epitome [incomplete], by Epiphanius Scholasticus, 12th century
Item
Identifier: MS 178
Contents
MS 178 contains a copy of a 6th-century Church history by Epiphanius Scholasticus. The work takes the form of twelve books, and became the primary clerical manual for Church history in the medieval west for centuries. The 12-part book is often presented in early print publications/manuscript copies as the work of Cassiodorus. However, it was originally a work of Latin translations of the histories of Socrates, Sozomen, and Theodoret produced by Cassiodorus's friend and colleague at the...
Dates:
12th century
History of the Irish language and Ogham Alphabets
Fonds — Volume Dk.6.26
Identifier: Coll-2212
Scope and Contents
Joseph O'Longan, History of the Irish language and ogham alphabets. 1865.
Dates:
1865
Illuminated vellum listing the names of the subscribers to Sir William Turner's portrait
Fonds — Volume Dk.2.21
Identifier: Coll-2154
Scope and Contents
The names of the subscribers who presented to the University of Edinburgh the portrait of Principal Sir William Turner, K.C.B. ; 13th February, 1913. Illuminated. On vellum. Bound in dark blue Morocco, gilt, with the arms of the University and of Sir William Turner.
Dates:
1913
Index to the Correspondence of George Paton
Fonds — Volume Dk.1.26
Identifier: Coll-2132
Scope and Contents
Index to the correspondence of George Paton (1721-1807), antiquary. Compiled by Ronald P. Doig.
Dates:
1956
Instrument of resignation by John Learmouth, resigning the parsonages and vicarages of Gogar as one of the prebendaries of Trinity College, Edinburgh
Fonds — Box Dk.2.20
Identifier: Coll-2153
Scope and Contents
Trinity College, Edinburgh. Instrument of resignation by Mr Johne Leirmont [Learmouth], parson and vicar of Gogar, resigning the parsonages and vicarages of Gogar as one of the prebendaries of Trinity College, in favour of the town of Edinburgh, in accordance with a disposition of King James VI, for the sustantatium of the ministrie, college and pure of the said burgh. At Edinburgh, 8 Nov. 1597. Witnesses: Patryk Lyttle, Alexander Hagie, George Habisnethie, Patrick Lyttle, James Henrysone....
Dates:
8 November 1597
Items relating to Dr John Brown of Edinburgh and his family
Fonds — Box Dk.7.54-64
Identifier: Coll-2238
Scope and Contents
Dr John Brown, M.D. Author of Rab and his friends (1859). Letters of, photos, and other items relating to John Brown and his father, his son and his cousin who all named John Brown. Also letter of Lord Lister. 1853-1920s, 1951.
3 letters of Dr John Brown to his cousin Dr John Brown of Burnley and the latter's wife Mary. 1879-1880, n.d. 6 ff. 12^o.
2...
Dates:
1853-1882
James Johnson: notes from lectures on chemistry by Joseph Black
Fonds — Volume Dc.10.1
Identifier: Coll-1375
Scope and Contents
The lectures on chemistry by Joseph Black consist of:
- 1 volume of lecture notes (1770-1775)
Dates:
1770-1775