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The National Library of ’s world class collections are looking to attract new fans. Here’s Dr Hugh Dan MacLennan’s match report GET WITH THE PROGRAMME he National Library of of Scottish sports such as shinty often has the tale been told of the Scotland is very proud and golf using material from the (more often than not) husband of the fact that it has collections. Unlocking our sports being threatened with a choice of the largest collection collections for new audiences is being dismissed from the family of Scottish sports one of our key development tasks home on the grounds of the space books and associated material in and it is an ongoing process, as is prized collections of sporting T LASTING Scotland and probably the world. the building of collections, which memorabilia is taking up in loft MEMORIES Given the nation's role in the is one of our most interesting and Right: Post-war space, garages or wardrobes? "It's organisation of worldwide, challenging pursuits. programmes very either you or those boxes that's and its performance on various Programmes – "match much reflect the going!" is not an unknown edict in spirit of the age. sporting stages over time, that programmes" in common parlance Scotland v England sporting circles. should really be no surprise. – are mines of information. programmes have The good news is that the always been laden But what is perhaps not so They have changed over time, with stereotypical National Library, while not expert well-known is the nature and in shape, size, content and cost. imagery and a dash in the settling of matrimonial scope of the sporting collections. Increasingly sidelined, perhaps, of humour, which disputes, is a source of relief make them special While this review focuses by the advent of social media and keepsakes and comfort for anyone in such specifically on sporting sporting organisations' imperative a dire predicament. For all the programmes, whether they be for increasing their own revenue Below: They assistance offered by the legal also reflect how designed specifically for individual streams, they have become functional they deposit requirements, there matches, tournaments or even less important as matchday were as documents are clearly gaps in the Library's - records of teams, tours (within Scotland and those accessories or acquisitions. They competitions collections of match programmes. involving our clubs and teams are, however, for the historian and and sometimes For all sorts of reasons, it is not travelling abroad), it is worth genuine follower of sport, a source (slightly) exotic possible to guarantee that every opponents remembering that all our sports of wonder and amazement. single programme for material is accessible to the If truth be told, every individual sporting general public in Scotland and and we have not event will be delivered. further afield. It is not just held for checked this, it is Sometimes staff changes sporting organisations, or those highly likely that at organisations and with specific interests in sport. the collecting or clubs can lead to an It is held on behalf of the nation hoarding of match interruption of supply. for everyone. programmes will On other occasions there Through web features, social have been cited in can be breakdowns in media, digitisation and events umpteen situations of the supply chain, which we aim to tell the domestic disharmony lead to gaps over time. in Scotland by, for example, - if not even divorce Sometimes acquisition creating timelines for the history proceedings. How at sales and through auctions is the only way these gaps can Unlocking our sports be filled. However, an collections for new opportunity exists for the Library when audiences is one of our people who are

key development tasks Continues on page 18>

16 | DISCOVER | SPRING 2018 Continues on page 18>

SPRING 2018 | DISCOVER | 17 COLLECTIONS

From previous page> looking to dispose of collections donate them, allowing our readers and sports fans worldwide, to help make our collections as complete as possible. It is a given that match programmes form the greatest part of our collection, which is one of the most extensive in the country. Football and rugby, in terms of media coverage, support and participation are the most popular sports in Scotland, but our programme collections testify to the range and popularity of other sports since the organisation of sport in the late 19th century. In football and rugby terms, we have extensive, although incomplete, collections of match programmes for both national and local teams and a large collection of football

The collecting work is being extended to shinty, and speedway

fanzines highlighted in this blog: http://blog.nls.uk/fanzines-here- fanzines-there/ As well as material on high- profile teams and players we have large collections on junior football, overseas tours by schools and community teams throughout Scotland. Work on building the football programme collection continues apace and about 130 Scotland international programmes for both home and away games were added to the collection in January 2018. These range from a 1947 British Home Championship game against to a 2016 World Cup qualifier against Malta at Ta' Qali National Stadium. The collecting work is being extended to shinty, speedway and curling, and work on this has already begun, see www.nls.uk/ collections/topics/sport/shinty

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18 | DISCOVER | SPRING 2018 SPRING 2018 | DISCOVER | 19 COLLECTIONS

From previous page>

We want to identify and fill any gaps in our collections on Over time, these sports and also reach out to organisations such as the programmes British Golf Museum, The Royal have taken on a Caledonian Curling Club and the to look at more corporate possible areas of co-operation and to further promote the collections. role, used by As sports writer in residence clubs to promote with a specific interest in shinty, I have already begun trying to their brands, aims build as complete a range of shinty match programmes as possible, and objectives to mark the 125th year since the formation of the sport's governing body, the Camanachd Association. Just as with other sports, shinty tended to be more directly match programmes fulfil all sorts corporate and designed to One of our best sporting of purposes which have changed promote brands, and the match SPORTING collections is the material relating over time. Early sports match programme becomes more of HISTORY to speedway, which is very much a programmes tend to be basic, with an advertisers’ catalogue than a Above: This part of Scotland’s hidden sporting information about teams and the historical keepsake. programme is from the 2015 Scottish past. Highlights include historical occasion itself key. Minimalist in Most of the history of women’s Cup Final which was events and a significant number of their content very often, over time is hidden. Our the 130th final. Ten- programmes, to which fans have man won programmes have taken on a more extensive collection of local 2-1 thanks to a late added handwritten scores and corporate role, used by football, sports club histories contains James Vincent results from races. rugby, and shinty clubs to much information on women’s Again, this is a sport where Below left: A rare promote their own brand, aims and participation in golf, and programme from we have been working with key objectives, and to act as a revenue tennis, for example. This is now a cricket match in individuals and groups to not only stream, carrying advertising being complemented by a growing in 1948 build the collection but also make it when the legendary from companies wishing to be range of match programmes Don Bradman played more accessible. associated with the clubs. from women's sporting events, in his last international If you believe you can help This has not always been the particular football. match the Library grow its collection case, as local philanthropists very The sports mentioned so far of sporting match programmes, often used the programmes as a merely scrape the surface of our you should in the first instance means of funnelling much-needed sports and programme collections. contact Ian Scott, the Curator funds into clubs' coffers. There is a lot of material available of Sport at [email protected], to The modern approach has on Scotland’s proud history of discuss the material. It may be achievement in athletics from that we can make use of the athletic meetings at Powderhall material even if we already hold it to material relating to the recent ourselves, by passing it on to the Commonwealth Games in Sporting Memories Project where ; there's material on we are Resource Partners and Highland Games and events spare or duplicate copies can be at some of the many used to create resources to help clubs that exist throughout people living with dementia and rural and urban Scotland. combating loneliness. We have recently been trying to build up our 20th and 21st-century printed golf collections, particularly programmes for major Dr Hugh Dan MacLennan is the National Library championships. Items of Scotland’s first Sports Writer in Residence. In acquired include the 1929 a year-long post jointly funded by the National programme for the Open held Library, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the University at Muirfield plus a number of Academy of Sport where he is a of other Open programmes, Professional Fellow, he is mining the National some received as donations. Library’s vast sporting resources and helping We plan to continue to scope open them up to the public. and build our modern golf collections via purchase, Contacts: [email protected]; donation and Legal Deposit. [email protected] and @hughdansport

20 | DISCOVER | SPRING 2018 INSPIRATION

creativeconnection The Library is continuing to develop its links with Scotland’s creative industries, with our collections and exhibitions providing the inspiration for new artistic and cultural expressions

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SPRING 2018 | DISCOVER | 21 INSPIRATION

even creative artists from of – we’ve all had to sit exams at across Scotland received We want the some point.” top marks when the Library creative industries Graeme and his colleagues decided invited them to “resit” old it was necessary to make the task a exam papers. to be aware that challenging one. STest papers from the 1930s to 1960s “We wanted to see if a Higher maths were used as a source of inspiration, with the Library has question set in 1962, for example, could the Library also offering seven bursaries be turned into a choral or even a punk of up to £1,000 each to enable their vast untapped musical performance in 2018.” creative reinterpretations. potential as a place With help from the Library’s Innovation Graeme Hawley, the Library’s General Fund, which provides support to develop Collections Manager, explained: “The of inspiration and explore new ideas, the project was Library has just digitised its collection launched in January 2018. of exam papers from 1889 to 1963, and “However, it also seemed Graeme was impressed by people's we are keen to demonstrate the reuse to me that we were being eagerness to be involved. “We organised potential of collections for those working presented with a good things relatively quickly and received in the creative industries. opportunity to bring on more than 40 applications in just 10 days. “Originally, when we’d met to see how board people in the creative The vast majority were really interesting, the digital files could be structured and industries. with lots of creative ideas.” indexed we started thinking about our “One of the things In fact, the field was so strong that the ‘audience’ for the papers. It was clear that that is unique to exam original shortlist of six was expanded those working in areas such as education papers is that they are to seven. and child development would find them something everyone The successful artists, who are currently useful and interesting. has had experience finalising their reinterpretations, are:

22 | DISCOVER | SPRING 2018 We believe the collections we have can add value to the work of people in these industries

Vanessa Smer-Barreto and Robbie academic links and help make sure the QUESTIONS OF STYLE • Pictured top: Graeme Hawley. Above: the Synge who are creating dance shows papers become a valuable and well used 1932 Geometry (Higher Grade) Section II based on the 1932 Geometry (Higher research asset. paper, which is inspiring dance shows Grade) Section II. Graeme said the aim is to have the • Jules Bradbury and Thomas Keyes who reinterpretations complete in time for are developing visual art responses to the launch of a new exams web feature the 1937 Day School Certificate (Higher) to coincide with the end of the traditional General paper Question 2. school exam period in May/June. • Chris Hutchings, Harry Giles and “It is important to have performances the punk band Fit to Work, and Hector and artworks that are recordable and MacInnes who are creating musical can be placed on the web. I'm also performances based on questions 1 to 6 hoping we'll be able to stage an of 1962 Mathematics (Higher Grade) exhibition around the time of this Second paper Section I. year’s Edinburgh Festival. The project is just one aspect of the “Crucially, we want the creative work being done with the exam papers. industries in Scotland to be aware that Curator Fiona Laing is also involved with the Library has vast untapped potential the ’s campus as a place of inspiration. Our collections at Moray House to further develop really are all singing, all dancing.”

SPRING 2018 | DISCOVER | 23 EDINBURGH MEDAL

Professor Cordelia Fine – recognised for her Professor’s work on contribution to our understanding gender stereotypes of humanity sees her receive the Edinburgh Medal A FINE AND INDIVIDUAL THINKER

24 | DISCOVER | SPRING 2018 up in neuroscientific finery” where she says facts and figures are often over-interpreted, misinterpreted and sometimes even fabricated by popular writers to service gender stereotypes. Countering this with accessible work that clearly explains the fascinating and complex story that science tells us about gender differences is important, because inaccurate beliefs that Men are

© Paul Burston, University of Melbourne University Burston, © Paul from Mars, Women are from Venus are associated with perceptions and attitudes that support the status quo. “If there were just a few simple steps we’d have solved this problem by now,” she says. “After all, every one of us wants opportunities to be based on merit and ability and few discriminate consciously. It is just incredibly difficult to overcome the schemas and shift the structural factors that perpetuate inequality.”

A FINE AND he work of an eminent findings often taken as evidence that TREMENDOUS HONOUR psychologist who has men are biologically geared from the start Coined by the City of Edinburgh Council challenged the notion of to be interested in understanding and in 1988, the Edinburgh Medal is awarded fundamental differences conquering the world, while women’s during the Edinburgh International between men and women is brains and evolutionary shaping have Science Festival. Each recipient gives Tbeing celebrated at the National Library designed them to nurture and be an address, and this year Professor Fine as part of the Edinburgh International more cautious. will discuss science, values and gender Science Festival this April. Professor Fine was first alerted to equality at the City Chambers on INDIVIDUAL Professor Cordelia Fine, best-selling the insinuated “hardwired” differences 4 April 2018. author and professor at the University of between male and female brains from Professor Fine said of her award: “It’s Melbourne, Australia, is to be awarded the a tremendous honour to win the Medal Festival’s prestigious Edinburgh Medal in and a wonderful recognition of the recognition of her work in questioning the It’s a tremendous importance of the work of scientists popular belief that men and women are honour to win – often women – that I write about in “wired” differently. The Medal is awarded my books and draw on in my academic THINKER to scientists who have made significant the Medal and research, who have progressed science contributions to our understanding of by challenging long-held assumptions humanity. Past recipients have included a wonderful about the sexes and asking different Sir David Attenborough, Professor Jane research questions.” Goodall and Professor Peter Higgs. recognition of Born in Toronto, she spent her Professor Fine, who spent part of her the importance childhood in the United States and childhood in Edinburgh, won the Royal Edinburgh. She studied psychology and Society’s prize for science book of the year of the work of criminology at university and received in 2017 for Testosterone Rex: Unmaking a PhD in Psychology from University the Myths of Our Gendered Minds. This scientists - often College . She has held research debunked the idea that men are born women - that I write positions at a number of Australian to be competitive risk-takers while universities, and is currently Professor of women possess gentler, more nurturing about in my books History and Philosophy of Science at the characteristics. University of Melbourne, Australia. For Professor Fine, the brains and minds of men and women are not fundamentally a popular parenting guide. The book  A display of collection items relating different, and popular notions that Men are included information on how to raise to Professor Fine’s scientific and literary from Mars, Women are from Venus are not boys and girls differently. That and other work in the field of neuroscience, borne out by the evidence. popular literature opened her eyes “to psychology and gender will be at the Her books deconstruct research the phenomenon of sexism dressed Library from 31 March to 30 April.

SPRING 2018 | DISCOVER | 25

INCUNABULA

FROM THE CRADLE OF PRINTING Incunabula, early products of Gutenberg’s 15th-century typographical revolution, brought together the marvel of moveable type and the glorious illuminated style of manuscript books. Curator Robert Betteridge takes a look at the Library’s collection of these extraordinary works

SPRING 2018 | DISCOVER | 27 INCUNABULA

ILLUMINATING WORKS OF ART Left: The text is printed on vellum leaves in red and black with a painted initial and border illuminated in gold and colours. Scribal contractions, that mark omitted letters with a line above, are a convention continued from manuscript into print.

Above: This book of sermons is still in what was probably its original binding of stamped pigskin over wooden boards with metal bosses, corner-pieces and clasps.

t is a profound thing to because of a single surviving copy, hold in your hand a book Printed books, in an but on average 18 copies of each that was printed at a surviving edition remain. time before Columbus effort to match the Printing with moveable type sailed to the Americas, higher status of their did not mean an end to the or when Leonardo da production of manuscript books, Vinci was at work, and handwritten counterparts, and the two existed side by that takes you directly side. Printed books, in an effort into the Late Medieval were often produced to to match the higher status of and Renaissance world; with look like manuscripts their handwritten counterparts, leaves that can look as if they have were often produced to look like Ijust been printed, to bindings of contemporary manuscripts and leather over thick wooden boards, following century, such as the could be illuminated to further battered and worn by more than scientific revolution and the the resemblance. Sometimes the 500 years of use. Protestant Reformation. first letter of a section of the book When Johann Gutenberg printed Books printed in the 15th would be printed with enough his famous Bible in Mainz in about century are known as incunabula, space around it for a fuller letter 1455, he began a revolution that a term derived from the Latin to be painted over it, or indeed left rapidly spread beyond Germany. in cunae meaning in the cradle, blank to be supplied by hand. Gutenberg’s technology allowed because the period from the The end date of 1500 for for the mass production and middle to the end of the 15th incunabula is an arbitrary one as distribution of identical texts century represents the infancy there are no differences, either across Europe, and created an of printing with moveable type. technologically or stylistically, environment that would nurture About 28,000 editions have between books printed at the the immense changes of the survived: some only known end of the 15th century and the

28 | DISCOVER | SPRING 2018 Many of the books were owned by monastic communities

by Tacitus’s father-in-law Agricola against the Caledonians. Assembling a complete trail of provenance for incunabula is usually not possible but many owners have left their names or identifying marks in the books now in the National Library: from 15th-century Italian nobility to 20th-century bibliophiles, and where known, these are recorded in the Library’s catalogue. Many of the books were owned by monastic communities and the early provenance of several Scottish and Continental abbeys appears in the collection. A number of books are still to be found in their original bindings, some retaining metal clasps, corners and bosses, and some showing the marks of having once been part of a chained library. A combination of utility and fashion means the majority of the books in the collection have been rebound at some point and sadly this often earliest years of the 16th century. CLASSICAL The Advocates Library continued interrupts the chain of provenance. Naturally enough, many printers of TEXTBOOK to collect incunabula through the Printing did not begin in incunabula, such as the celebrated Above: The first 18th and 19th centuries acquiring Scotland until 1508 so there edition of the works scholar printer Aldus Manutius of of the ancient Greek more than 100 by the early 19th are no Scottish incunabula. Venice, span the two centuries. mathematician century and doubling that figure However, that does not mean Euclid, one of the The National Library of Scotland most important by the early 20th. The National that Scots are not represented in holds more than 600 incunabula: a textbooks ever Library has added considerably early printing. The Library holds collection that began in 1695 with printed. Detail shown to the collection acquired by the several 15th-century editions overleaf on page 27 the acquisition by the Advocates Advocates Library. Of particular of the theologian Duns Scotus Library of two Venetian books Below: An early significance were the purchase (c. 1265-1308) and of Michael that formed part of the library of herbal with a of 36 incunabula from the Signet Scot (c. 1175-1234), a translator, woodcut on the Lord George Douglas, bequeathed title page Library in 1959 and the remarkable astronomer and philosopher, both by his father the Duke acquisition of 71 books thought to be from Scotland. Like of Queensberry. These, in the years 1943-1945 many significant theologians and like much early printing, by William Beattie, philosophers whose writings had were the works of then Keeper of Printed long circulated in manuscript, they classical authors; in Books. The most recent were now, even long after their this case Ovid and acquisition was in 2012 deaths, having their work printed. Aristophanes and with the purchase of an The earliest mention of a Scot printed in 1474 and 1498 edition of the works of the involved in the printing trade can be respectively. Roman historian Tacitus found in a book on arithmetic printed Law and religion are printed in Milan in 1487. It in Paris in 1496. It records a David the other mainstays, includes the first printing Lauxius of Edinburgh who worked but far from the only of the account of the battle as a proof-corrector, checking the subjects of incunabula. of Mons Graupius, fought sheets of print for errors.

SPRING 2018 | DISCOVER | 29 EXPLORE THE LIBRARY Great Library resources…

Based in two cities and with a collection of more than your address. Examples of 26 million printed items, two million maps, 32,000 acceptable ID and address films, three miles of manuscripts, and thousands confirmation are at of photographs, getting around the Library’s sites www.nls.uk/using-the- requires a little navigation library/library-cards/ evidence-of-identity

LIBRARY LOCATIONS Tel: 0131 623 4660 VIEWING MATERIAL FILM AND DIGITAL COLLECTIONS E: [email protected] If you know what you are Kelvin Hall Due to building works looking for, we recommend 1445 Argyle Street the public entrance will be making your request for Glasgow G3 8AW moved, please follow signs. the required material in to access the Library’s Tel : 0845 366 4600 advance of your visit to licensed digital collections E: [email protected] HOW TO JOIN the Library. Requests is https://auth.nls.uk/ldc Mon-Fri 9am-5pm To use the Library’s can be made in person, Additionally, recent Edinburgh reading rooms by telephone on 0131 623 legislation has given the OTHER COLLECTIONS and order items from the 3820 or 3821, or by email Library and the other five George IV Bridge collections, you need to to [email protected] legal-deposit libraries in Edinburgh EH1 1EW hold a Library card. This can If you have a Library card, the UK the legal right to Tel: 0131 623 3700 be obtained by completing books can be ordered in collect, store and preserve E: [email protected] the online form at https:// advance via the online the nation’s memory in Mon-Fri 9.30am-8.30pm auth.nls.uk/registration catalogue on our website. the digital age. There is (Wed 10am-8.30pm), On your first visit to the For information about pre- a mixture of electronic Sat 9.30am-1pm Library, you should go to ordering, see www.nls.uk/ content available, including Registration, where staff using-the-library/reading- websites in the UK domain MAPS will take your photo and rooms/general/preorders web archive, and articles/ Causewayside Building produce a Library card for chapters from e-books and 159 Causewayside you. You will need proof of ONLINE e-journals. This material Edinburgh EH9 1PH identity and confirmation of The Library has a vast can be viewed on Library range of electronic computers within the resources, including digital reading rooms if you are a versions of reference registered user. works, massive full-text facsimiles and business VISITOR CENTRE databases. Many of The Visitor Centre at the these resources are George IV Bridge building available on the internet to in Edinburgh has an users resident in Scotland, exhibition space, a shop although additional selling books, stationery conditions may apply and gifts, a café and PCs in line with our licence with access to Library agreements. catalogues and other Your first port of call digital facilities.

IN FOCUS Hear your heritage The Library coordinates Scotland’s Sounds – a growing network of people who look after or make use of Scotland’s heritage sound recordings. Through the Scotland’s Sounds website you can tune into a radio programme about Scotland’s heritage recorded sounds, watch children’s animations illustrating sound clips from the Borders, and listen in to community podcasts featuring archive recordings from Helmsdale, , Orkney and Glasgow. You can also get a glimpse of the recently completed Connecting Scotland’s Sounds project via project films, and browse links to a number of Scotland’s archive sound collections that offer online access to recordings.  To listen, visit www.scotlandssounds.org

30 | DISCOVER | SPRING 2018 DIGITAL RESOURCES Invaluable portfolio of business e-resources Free source of news, company data, market research and analysis

Access a wealth of data from home and at the library

The Library has an excellent collection of business e-resources providing current business news, market research reports and information on companies - whether you are looking for one particular organisation or a list of companies in a particular field. All resources are freely available in our George IV Bridge building, Edinburgh and at Kelvin Hall, Glasgow. the latest business news publishers, the following the opportunity to capture If you live in Scotland and and market research on a databases can only be essential information register for a Library card vast array of topics. used on Library premises at a glance. you can access three of n Frost and Sullivan deals at George IV Bridge or Finally, you can also the business e-resources with market research Kelvin Hall. access Mintel, a full-text from home: and provides detailed n Fame (Financial Analysis market research database n COBRA (Complete industry analysis on Made Easy) contains containing detailed Business Reference the chemical, energy, useful information on consumer research, sales Advisor) This database environmental and building companies in Britain and data and UK market contains a wealth of technologies, healthcare, , including their information. knowledge about the IT and manufacturing performance. You can process of setting up a markets worldwide. It is also get lists of companies business. It has many links full of fascinating research; that will help you explore to what you might need for example, a 2017 report specific markets that MORE to know, and tackles all entitled The Future of the interest you. FAME also aspects of starting any type United States notes that includes news and market INFORMATION of business, from a café to “meditation is becoming research. Mint Global and On these e-resources an accountancy firm. an efficient way for Orbis do exactly the same, please contact Elaine n employers to improve the but globally. D&B Hoovers business Simpson, Business information database work environment while n IBISWorld provides and Enterprise Partner supplies lists of companies simultaneously saving market research for over across the world, money on medical costs.” 400 industries in the UK [email protected] including details on their Due to licensing and includes an i-expert performance and providing agreements with summary, which provides

SPRING 2018 | DISCOVER | 31 MY LIBRARY

Uncover THE PAST

Professor Angela ur book Tea and Empire: James further brought to life his times in Ceylon O Taylor in Victorian Ceylon brings and his origins in the Mearns. McCarthy and to life for the first time the So many fascinating items are remarkable story of James Taylor, “father contained in the Taylor archives, but Professor Sir Tom of the Ceylon tea enterprise” in the 19th perhaps the most fascinating – and century. Publicly celebrated in Sri Lanka perplexing – are the photographs. Among Devine delved into for his efforts in transforming the them are several images of a young Tamil the Library archives country’s economy and shaping the woman whom we speculate was at one world’s drinking habits, Taylor (pictured stage Taylor’s partner and who, according to bring the story of below left) died in disgrace. to a cryptic note of his in the back cover James Taylor and the Using the National Library of Scotland’s of the album, may have run away. unique archive of Kincardineshire-born Another is a photograph of a couple Ceylon tea enterprise Taylor’s letters written over a 40-year of adult men and two children in a boat period, we tried to provide an unusually on a lake with an old estate house in the to life. Here they detailed and intimate reconstruction of distance. Assuming it to be relevant to share some of their a British planter’s life in Asia at the high Taylor’s upbringing we endeavoured to noon of empire. identify it in the Mearns area. Mike and delightful discoveries Of particular interest for us is that the Marion Robson, locals of the area, suggest Library not only houses James Taylor’s that it might be Inglismaldie. We hope extensive correspondence spanning someone reading this might be able to four decades, but also cares for two of definitively confirm this. his photograph albums. His letters richly Beyond the Taylor materials, the document his life in Ceylon, his character Library also contains several other development over the years, and the planter archives. And an exciting terse and tender ties to his family. discovery emerged from the newly Having trained as a pupil teacher before leaving home at 16 years of age, Taylor’s handwriting was relatively easy to transcribe and comprises about 83,000 words. His photographs were also evocative but frustrating, for only rarely did he label the individuals in them. They did, nevertheless, enable us to illustrate the book with an array of images that

32 | DISCOVER | SPRING 2018 Below left: Sir Tom Devine and acquired Fettercairn estate papers, to Angela McCarthy. Above: One of the which manuscripts curator Dr Ralph photographs uncovered in the archives McLean alerted us. Here, we discovered showing two men and two children in a boat, believed to be in Inglismaldie, an evocative solitary letter from Taylor’s near Laurencekirk relative Henry Stiven sent back to his laird just days after the lads arrived in Ceylon. During our research, two things in His letters particular stood out about the National richly document Library of Scotland. First is the building itself on Edinburgh’s George IV Bridge, a his life in Ceylon, wonderful environment within which to become immersed in so many diverse his character source materials. Second is the many helpful staff. Dr McLean, in particular, not development and only alerted us to the Fettercairn papers the terse and tender but also assisted in organising a small exhibition about Taylor to coincide with ties to his family a talk we gave about him.

SPRING 2018| DISCOVER | 33 MEMORY LANE The golden age of stamp collecting In June 1918 the Penny Post came to an end when the GPO raised the cost to 1½d. This was also the golden age of stamp collecting when it seemed that every boy and many girls had a stamp album

Covers of books by “The Dean of Philately” Edinburgh born F.J. Melville (1882-1940). Melville founded the hugely successful Junior Philatelic Society in 1899 and wrote more than 100 books on stamp collecting. He used to visit Buckingham Palace to discuss postage stamps with King George V.

34 | DISCOVER | SPRING 2018