friends newsletter summer 2017 Note from the Editor: Priscilla Barlow This is my 10th year editing the splendid illustration of books on the Friends of the Argyll Papers Newsletter. newsletter – this being theth 20 issue. GUL shelves; just a wee memory jog When I eventually bury my editor’s For the first two years I co-edited with reminding us that not everything is hatchet, I know the newsletter will be in Dr David Fergus. Over these years we digitised - although you might well be safe and creative hands. changed from dashing purple and green reading this online. We continue the now familiar format print to monochrome and eventually Duncan Beaton, who has been a with Friends news, Library news and to full colour; from 4 pages to 8. We Friend for a decade and a committee articles of bibliographical interest and as are currently working with our third member for 3 years, now affords me always we are well illustrated. To all our designer and we progressed from no the luxury of an assistant editor. He is contributors who continue to meet our particular masthead to a book spine, well versed in the intricacies of desktop deadlines, I give my thanks. then a view of the Library and now a publishing and already edits the The Priscilla Barlow: [email protected] The David Murray Book Collecting Prize The David Murray Book Collecting Prize, inaugurated this year, was made available through a generous donation of £500 and was open to all currently matriculated students of the University of . An additional £500 was awarded to the winner to help select a new acquisition for Archives and Special Collections. £250 of this was generously contributed by FGUL with the additional Edward Cole (winner) and Stephen Hall (runner up) receiving their cheques from bonus of one year’s FGUL membership. Susan Ashworth and Julie Gardham The winning entry by Edward Cole, whose recently completed PhD focuses will go some way towards filling in some decision to award two runners up prizes on Glasgow Museum’s collections of of these gaps. of £100. So congratulations are also due birds’ eggs, described his own collection The quality of submissions for the to Stephen Hall for his entry on the John of books and other material relating competition was very high. From the Smith Collection and Becca Gauldie (not to Scottish waterfalls. His diverse entrants, the judging panel invited five pictured) for A Cabinet of Curiosities. collection, focused in topic but wide students to the Library to make mini Our overall winner Edward now has ranging in format, encompasses regional presentations about their collections. the pleasant task of browsing through and walking guides, maps, postcards and Meeting them and hearing about the various booksellers’ catalogues for an even literature and poetry. The judges books was great fun. The final selection acquisition to enhance the Library’s own were impressed by Edward’s tenacity of an outright winner was incredibly Murray collection, as partly sponsored and enthusiastic passion in building his difficult. Since this was the first year by FGUL. He has promised to write an collection, and also by his very detailed of the competition, Susan Ashworth article about his choice for the next listing of desiderata. Hopefully his prize (Head Librarian) took the exceptional newsletter, so watch this space!

FGULsummer17alt.indd 1 09/08/2017 18:27 Letter from Acting Convenor: Jean Anderson Profile: 22 Moira Rankin Since our last Newsletter in Green is looking after our built library, the Leighton Moira was born and bred in Churchill Archives Centre in the development of the January, the FGUL Committee web pages and will assist with Library at Dunblane and to the Paisley. She spent her formative Cambridge confirmed this was Story has been busy reforming itself events; Freda Tuck remains our University of Stirling Library. It years between Castlehead High the right career choice. website since its prototype First to comply with the OSCR rules Membership Secretary; Peter was a great day out. (see report School and working in her Moira received a Masters in World War Roll of Honour was (Office of the Scottish Charity Davies continues as Secretary; in Summer Outings). I would parents’ model railway shop. Archives and Records Manage- launched in 2006. She has been Regulator, www.oscr.org.uk). Priscilla Barlow cntinues as the like to acknowledge the work She completed an Honours ment from UCL in 1995 and Principal Investigator on several Committee members have Newsletter Editor with Duncan done by Priscilla and by Peter History degree at Glasgow in returned to Glasgow that year Wellcome Trust Research been taking on new roles, Beaton as her understudy. I am in arranging events and talks for 1991 and a Marketing Diploma as Assistant Archivist on a cata- Resources grants. some as officers and some as acting as the chair for the time the membership during the last at the Scottish College of logue retro-conversion project. Outside work, Moira has understudies. being and I would like to thank six months. Textiles in 1992. A discussion She never left and is been married to Frank for 20 Our new Treasurer, Fiona all of the volunteer committee I am sure the events and talks with Dr John McCaffrey, her now Senior Archivist with years. They enjoy long walks Hamilton, is compiling an members for their work. planned for the autumn will be former Scottish History tutor, responsibility for the with their children, Peter and archive of our records, In early July our editor took just as interesting. Remember led her to volunteer at the management of the Archives & Joan, accompanied by the arranging new signatories for time out from Newsletter that we are always pleased University Archives. Thereafter Special Collections operations latest addition to their family, our bank account and liaising production to organise a trip to have suggestions from our posts at the United Distillers that are based in Thurso St. Toby - a 1 year old miniature with our accountants; Johanna to Scotland’s oldest purpose- supporters. Archive in Leith and at the She is currently overseeing wire-haired daschund. Dye-versity Project Erskine Hospital Project n A most interesting talk marketing of the first suc- ‘Dye-versity’ research proj- n Moira Rankin and Dr on the Dye-versity Project cessful one, Perkin’s mauve ect, funded by the Carne- Jennifer Novotny gave - Research into Glasgow’s - 1857, through 1859 when gie Trust. I studied patterns the 21st March 2017 talk 19th century dyeing they were accepted on an in dye manuals by Smith, on the Erskine Hospital industrial scale, until the end Crookes, Crace-Calvert and manuals - was delivered Centenary Project, a of the century when 90% of Knecht, dating from 1857 on the 21st February 2017 partnership formed three dyes were synthetic. to 1893 in the UoG ASC col- by Dr Anita Quye. Her years ago to catalogue If the patterns are dyed lection. Did their chemistry enthusiasm for the subject and preserve the records with what the authors make sense for manufactur- enthralled the audience claimed, they are important ing descriptions in the man- of Erskine Hospital. Moira of 20, who were invited We have evidence for Victorian textile uals? How much chemical Rankin is Senior Archivist, to give tactile feedback variation was there between University of Glasgow helped with via textile tokens. Dr dyes with different names Library. She joined the Quye is Senior Lecturer over the years? University as an Assistant funding… in Conservation Science Patterns allegedly dyed Archivist in 1995 and since within the History of Art with aniline reds, magentas, Artificial limbs of all In her will the late 2012 has managed the at the University’s School violets, blues and greens for shapes and sizes Professor Christian Kay, Archives team at Thurso of Culture and Creative chemical analysis by Dr Julie were produced for a staunch member of Street. Dr Jennifer Novotny Arts. She has collaborated Wertz with our Centre’s ul- the battle-scarred is Research Assistant the Friends, made a in the authorship of two tra-high performance liquid residents of Erskine chromatography with photo in History, University generous bequest to books and a number Hospital diode array detection (UH- of Glasgow School of the Library. The 4th of articles on the PLC-PDA) were sampled. Humanities. Edition of Johnson’s preservation and analysis Backed by mass spectro- Sailors and Soldiers and it was 20 linear metres of material. of WWI wounded at Erskine Dictionary of the of dyes and resins used metric analysis with Profes- the University’s Regius Pro- Further details of the project Hospital.’ The background to English Language was on fabrics and pottery. Abstract sor Ilaria Degano, Universi- fessor of Surgery, Sir William including a link to the cata- the establishment of manual proposed as a suitable ty of Pisa, the 80+ named Erskine Hospital is a charity Macewen who led the efforts logue can be found on the therapy workshops at Erskine acquisition in her Abstract Image courtesy of Special dyes studied gave distinctive that will be familiar to many to mobilise support. The Uni- Library website http://www. and how such programmes Friends of the Library as the memory. Purchased by Nineteenth century printed Collections GUL chemical profiles with - ex versity was involved again in gla.ac.uk/services/library/col- of vocational rehabilitation University has many connec- ASC with part-funding books called dyeing manuals, colours. Heritage scientists pected behaviours for what 2016, providing heritage sup- lections/medicalhumanities/ were culturally informed by can identify historical dyes the nineteenth century dye tions with the charity which port in their centenary year. available through FGUL, were practical guides for In the second part of the the concerns and anxieties dyers in the textile indus- by chemical analysis. This is manufacturers thought they has supported over 85,000 The University Library talk, Jennifer shared her in- of both the military and civil- it is now available for try. Many manuals included important for colour preser- had made. veterans in its century of ex- received an award of £60,000 sights into the history of Er- ian populations of the First research under Sp Coll dyed textiles called ‘patterns’ vation because many popular So patterns in nineteenth istence. from the Wellcome Trust to skine having received a Well- World War was explained. An RX 190-191. A bookplate which claimed to be made early synthetics were prone century dyeing manuals It was originally established help Erskine gather, cata- come Trust scoping award to article summarising the con- recognises both with the dyeing methods to fading. These patterns seem reliable evidence for by the people of Glasgow to logue, digitise and share their assess the value of the archive clusions has been published. contributions to this and named dyes described could provide essential refer- commercial dye colours of support limbless sailors and archive. In a project that last- for her research. She told of It is freely available to down- ences. addition to our major in the text. These patterns Victorian society. This makes soldiers returning from the ed for 2 years, Orla O’Brien her project entitled ‘They load from the Wellcome Open show Victorian fashion co- My curiosity about syn- the UoG ASC collections an Great War battlefields. Erskine was appointed as Project don’t want your charity - they Research portal: https://well- collection in the field. lours. They chart the rise thetic dyes called aniline or important, accessible teach- began in 1916 as the Princess Archivist and created almost demand their chance: the so- comeopenresearch.org/arti- of synthetic dyes, from the coal-tar colours led to my ing and research resource. Louise Hospital for Limbless 5000 catalogue records for cio-economic rehabilitation cles/2-5/v1

FGULsummer17alt.indd 2-3 09/08/2017 18:27 John Smith Collection, Glasgow University Library: Stephen Hall On the 31 March 1847, John Smith, Youngest from historic printing clubs and societies, 208 in Glasgow in 1800. Smith was a typical ear- ports of Glasgow Missionary Society (founded (1784-1849) of Crutherland, bookseller, statio- volumes of tracts and 3 bundles of loose pa- ly nineteenth-century Tory, yet, he read and 1796) from 1821 to 1843 ( BG33-h.2.) ner, publisher and councillor, proposed to the pers were bequeathed (class marks BG33 collected radical literature, e.g. there is a run The John Smith Collection is contempora- University of Glasgow’s Senate, and BG34, and the Ephemera). This was John of the first ten issues of Politics of the People neous of early nineteenth-century Glasgow, It is my intention to present […] for the use Smith’s working library and possibly the oldest (1848) (BG33-e.18), a socialist Christian week- Scotland and Britain at a time of the sudden of the Library of the University of Glasgow, bookseller archive (Collection + Ephemera) in ly edited by Charles Kingsley and J. M. Ludlow. expansion in population, wealth, and industry, […] a collection of Tracts chiefly relative to Scotland. The collection contains contrasting political underpinned by increasing social deprivation viewpoints having a selection of the Robb Nott the civil, ecclesiastical, commercial, and Of the many areas covered a few are noted and disease. The Collection’s abundance of in- loyalist pamphlets from Birmingham together political affairs of the City of Glasgow […] here: (The call numbers refer to the Library Re- formation on the welfare, social and charitable illustrating not only the local history of the with Parliamentary reform literature. societies that flourished in Glasgow, providing search Annex) city; but many important points in the Equally important are runs of annual reports practical, moral and religious support gives a Smith, being a Commissioner of the Police, manners, customs, amusements and related to Bible societies, such as the Glasgow particular ‘eye witness’ aspect knowing it was feelings of the inhabitants of the West of gathered material (e.g. BG33-e.20, BG34-h.10 Bible Society from 1813 when Smith first sub- collected by Smith as events unfolded and Scotland generally. and BG34-i.5), covering the rules and regula- scribed to the Society (BG33-h.18); the Society presents an invaluable resource. (The complete document can be consulted tions of this force from 1800 to 1817 and later. for Promoting the Religious Interests of the ° Stephen Hall has just submitted his PhD on in GU Special Collections: MSGen1222) The significance being that the first modern Poor of Glasgow and its Vicinity (Glasgow City John Smith, Youngest (1784-1849) and the Pictures Courtesy of On the 15 March 1849 a total of 199 volumes force of preventative policing was founded Mission) from 1827 to 1845 (BG33-h2); Re- Glasgow book trade. Library Research Annexe

Clockwise, from main image: Summer Outing visits the archives at Stirling University; Archives and Special Collections University John Grierson shooting script; of Stirling & The Leighton Library Dunblane Dickens in serial On 5 July a group of the Friends, in the doyen of documentary film makers, form; first edition glorious sunshine, travelled by mini John Grierson, and an extraordinarily Penguins; Leighton bus to Stirling University to visit the comprehensive and indeed moving Library, Dunblane; Special Collections and the Archives in hand written th19 century record of inside Leighton the university library. The Scottish National Institute for the Library. Unlike other collections we have Education of Imbecile Children. visited, this collection holds only After lunch and a stroll around the Pictures courtesy Iain items that are at most 200 years old. attractive campus we then journeyed Wotherspoon We were welcomed by the Archivist, to Dunblane where the keeper of Karl McGee, and the Head of Special the Leighton Library, Graeme Young, Collections, Alison Beardsley, who gave after a brief talk on the history of introductory talks about the nature the Library, built by Bishop Leighton of the collections which have been between 1684 and 1688, introduced well established in the university’s us to the collection. relatively brief life of 50 years. The The little white painted library holds items on display were fascinating. only 4000 volumes, half forming Special Collections included a fine Bishop Leighton’s personal library and display of first edition Penguins, chap half subsequently acquired by the books, first editions of Scott novels and library. Unusually, we were permitted beautifully illustrated books on plants, to inspect the books which included birds and corals. There were also Bishop Leighton’s collection of finely examples of the ‘Mrs Brown’ series of leather bound bibles in several advice on such subjects as marriage. languages, a velum bound George Possibly the most exciting exhibit Buchanan, volumes of poetry by e.g. was a sample of the original serial George Herbert and a particularly fine editions of Dickens novels. Bound in oversize edition of hand drawn and paperback, about the size of modern coloured 18thc maps of the Americas. academic journals, it was possible to With some time to spare before our follow the cliff- hangers so familiar to scheduled return journey we visited Dickens lovers. the cathedral and enjoyed tea in the The Archives included a selection of tearooms there. articles about the foundation of the The outing was voted an enjoyable University, samples from the archive of and enlightening success.

FGULsummer17alt.indd 4-5 09/08/2017 18:27 A special date Did you know about? The library at Killean House, Argyll We are showing you this as an example of an elegantly for your diary designed small private library. Sadly it is not accessible to the public. This fine elliptical library is in the The Friends of Glasgow Baronial-style mansion house of Killean, near Tayinloan University are proud to in Kintyre, built for James Macalister Hall of the British India Steamship Navigation Company. Two years after announce that they have Macalister Hall purchased the estate of Killean fire contributed to the funding destroyed the original building, and work was started of a concert by Russkaya on this house in July 1875. The architect was John Cappella to mark the centenary Burnet, and building work continued throughout the of Russian teaching in 1880’s. According to Frank Arneil Walker’s “Argyll and the University of Glasgow. Bute” in The Buildings of Scotland Penguin Books It is intended that part of the series, the interior has more classical restraint than programme will be drawn from the external features of the building. Apartments are the impressive collection of arranged around a central hall and, entering from the Slavonic music materials held in east, the library lies right. Killean House is now used the Music Department Archives. as holiday accommodation. John Burnet’s son, Sir John James Burnet worked with his father on Killean House. The event takes place on • The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland will Tursday, December 7 in the be hosting a talk on Sir J. J. Burnet: 7pm, February University Chapel at 7.30. 22nd, 2018 in Adelaides, 209 Bath Street, Glasgow.

Membership From the Library Blogs Report University of Glasgow Library ARCHIVES all accomplished young ladies SPECIAL COLLECTIONS parents were orthodox Jews Freda Tuck: Posted by Katie McDonald could play the piano, and Posted by Sam Maddra and according to Alan Brown- Report: Summer 2017 Austen was no exception. As john when anti-Semitism was Membership To mark the bicentenary of 29 June 2017 was the 85th music books were expensive, on the rise in the late 1930s, Secretary By Martina McChrystal Deputy Director / Head of Academic Engagement Jane Austen’s death, we take anniversary of the birth of the copies were often passed the family moved north, The Library had a busy spring courses. A full report will be a look at her love of music critic, educator and poet Like many similar from family to family, and finally settling in Bradford. and summer. We were delighted published and shared later this and investigate its influence Philip Hobsbaum. To mark the societies we Austen would copy out pages occasion, we are publishing a Hobsbaum won a schol- to welcome our new Assistant year. on her written works. struggle to maintain onto ruled pages in her diary. catalogue of the Group arship to Cambridge and Director and Head of Collections ‘Without music,’ Jane membership levels Upcoming events: in October Notably, only one composer Papers (MS Hobsbaum C) studied under F R Leavis at Strategy, Siobhán Convery. 2017 to mark the centenary of the Austen wrote in Emma, ‘life Downing College. … One idea Continued exist- is ever mentioned in any of His entry in the Oxford Dic- Siobhán, was previously Russian Revolution, the Library would be a blank to me.’ which he brought with him ence will depend on Jane Austen’s novels: Johann tionary of National Biogra- Head of Special Collections at will launch an exhibition which Austen’s passion for music is from Cambridge was that of successful recruit- Baptist Cramer… a renowned phy suggests: Hobsbaum was the University of Aberdeen will showcase the extensive apparent throughout many circulating copies of the work ment from the piano performer in the early perhaps most notable… as a Library and brings a wealth of collections of materials from of her novels,and to be discussed. younger generations. 19th century… Beethoven ‘servant’ to the ‘makars’…. the period. Highlights from our is reflected in He decided, once Target now: recruit experience in special collections, claiming his technical prow- The impact of his workshops countless of her he had a small 1 ‘youngster’ each! public engagement and building Trotsky Collection will include ess made him the finest in , Belfast, Glasgow, heroines and nucleus of writ- Current design. Siobhán is looking early works by Trotsky and rarely pianist of his time. His and elsewhere was acknowl- characters...; ers together, to membership stands forward to meeting The Friends seen film taken towards the end written pieces are dominated edged by the Nobel Prize keep a mailing at 149 which breaks over the coming months. Martina McChrystal of his life when he was living “I must have by works for piano, which winner , who list and to send down as: The Library continues to in Mexico. The Central & East my share in the commented that Hobsbaum of research outputs are may explain why Austen was out a sheet of 141 annual expand and develop facilities European Studies collections conversation if ‘emanated energy, generosi- anticipated. The two Wellcome so drawn to them…. poems weekly members, six and services, with a summer will highlight contemporary you are speaking ty, belief in community, [and] Trust funded projects, based In Emma, the character to everyone on life members, one programme of improvement accounts of the Revolution from of music. There are few trust in the parochial, the on William Hunter’s Library of Jane Fairfax owns a piece it… Hobsbaum ‘proclaimed founder member, 1 works, including extending the the people who were there to people in England, I inept, the unprinted’… and Alexander Haddow’s Zika of Cramer’s music, as many to be interested not in what new member and main entrance, and adding witness it. archive are now up and running. suppose, who have more young women of the time This series of papers, with- someone had written previ- one book donor. a window on Level 2, which Also in October, the Library Reports of these projects will true enjoyment of music would have done. A wide in the Hobsbaum Collection, ously but in what they might Sadly, we have to will look over the Hunterian will welcome three new PhD feature in future editions of the than myself, or a better variety of his work is held by brings together Hobsbaum’s write later… And noted that report that four of Sculpture courtyard - sure to students to work on the Stod Newsletter. natural taste. If I had Special Collections, including files for all three groups and the use of the sheets led to our long-standing be a popular area to study and dard-Templeton, Blackie and contains work from writers The Library was one of 11 ever learnt, I should have ‘The Hartzfeld: a new waltz [a] much closer and more an- Friends passed research. University Archive collections. including Martin Bell, Alas- away, namely Life institutions across the UK which been a great proficient.” for the piano forte’: … alytical discussion… conduct- The Archives and Special To keep up to date with what’s dair Gray, Seamus Heaney, Member Mr Michael took part in the research project Lady Catherine, Pride and 200 years since her death, ed on ‘a basis of frankness…’ Collections team launched the happening across the Library, Ted Hughes, , MacKenzie, Lady Library Futures. Prejudice (Sp Coll f253) Austen’s work continues to [which in turn] provides a detailed catalogue of the papers and Peter Redgrove. Marion Fraser, Dr J F This research looked at the sign up for alerts at https:// Austen herself was a inspire and influence. While direct encouragement to of Philip Hobsbaum (1932-2005) Philip Hobsbaum, Dennis Boyd and one of the information behaviours of 16- universityofglasgowlibrary.word prolific pianist, practising Austen was little known in write.’…Criticism is, surely, in June, to mark what would to his parents, was born in staunchest attenders 18 year olds to gain a better press.com/category/archives- every day. In the Regency her lifetime, her influence is not a matter of pronounce- have been his 85th birthday. Whitechapel, London. His at our talks, Mr understanding of students’ and-special-collections/ or follow period it was expected that undeniable 200 years later. ment but of discussion… Robert Fleetwood. A lot of interest has been expectations of the University us on Twitter @uofglibrary and • All of the items mentioned in the above blog posts are available to consult in the Special Collections Reading Room. generated and a large number Library when they start their @UofGlasgowASC

FGULsummer17alt.indd 6-7 09/08/2017 18:27 DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Friends of Glasgow University Library Committee Tuesday 24 October: 6.30pm Talk Lab Library level 3: AGM 7pm Talk by Priscilla Professor Sir Kenneth Calman Helen Durndell Jean Gilmour Anderson Barlow. Will the real Honorary President, Honorary Vice President Convenor (acting) Duncan Macrae stand up: Chancellor of the University Experiences in writing a biography

Tuesday 7 November: 7pm Dr Peter Davies Dr Fiona Hamilton Talk Lab Library Hon. Secretary Treasurer level 3. Talk by Jim King. Prison Education – A Hard Cell

Thursday Susan Ashworth Priscilla Barlow Duncan Beaton 7 December: 7.30 Head Librarian (ex officio) Newsletter Editor Editorial Assistant University of Glasgow Concert Hall Stuart Campbell conducts Russkaya Capella. Admission free David Baillie Dr Ramona Fotiade Norah Gray SUPPORT THE LIBRARY ONLINE n The website TOTAL GIVING https:// www.totalgiving.co.uk/donate/ Dr Johanna Green Dr Kathryn Lowe Dr Helen Cargill Thompson friends-of-glasgow-university-library This is a quick and efficient method of

supporting the work of the Library by Freda Tuck Jim Hamilton Membership Secretary Accountant at John M. Taylor & Co, donation. [email protected] Chartered Accoutants Perhaps Friends may wish to join in and those who have Facebook, Twitter, Friends of Glasgow University Library, blogs and other media groups might c/o University of Glasgow Library, Hillhead Street, Glasgow G12 8QE pass on the link and encourage the Email: [email protected] | Website: www.gla.ac.uk/fgul good work. A Registered Scottish Charity No. SC006553

Snippets n We have very welcome news that the see it at www.davidstow.org.uk/ Administrator is Ms Alason [sic] Roberts, University of Leeds has kindly donated It also includes a contribution a Cataloguer in EUL. The Children’s School Text Book archives from Sheila Craik. St Andrews: There is no conspicuous of Blackie & Son, 1882-1976 archive to n There are three sister Friends online info on current events or GUL. This helps expand GUL’s holdings of societies in Scotland: committee members within the this famed publisher. At the end of 2011 Aberdeen: Currently chaired by local society. the Friends helped the Library to buy Professor Hazel Hutchison) and n Our illustrated book, The University the business archive of Blackie & Son. the Honorary Secretary is of Glasgow Library: Friendly Shelves, Dr Glenda White’s researches into David Ms Emma Fowlie. continues to be on sale at the University Stow which formed a talk to the society Edinburgh: Currently chaired by its Gift Shop and at the library reception in 2013, are now online in a website desk, and available through our website which she launched during 2016.You can President, Joyce, Lady Caplan, an educationalist and bibliophile. The www.friendsofgul.org

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