Collection of papers relating to Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian, Scotland
551 768
Description Collection of papers relating to Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian, Scotland
Date 1718 to 1855
Collection Collection of papers relating to Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian, Scotland
Catalogue Number 551 768
Category All Other
Scope and Content A collection of drawings, manuscripts and engravings assembled by publisher and antiquarian John Britton (1771-1857) relating to the architecture and restoration of Rosslyn Chapel. 12 drawings by Joseph Gandy, 3 by David Roberts, and one by John R Thompson, Custodian of the Chapel. The collection includes letters by William Burn and George Meikle Kemp, and also letters by David Roberts criticising William Burn's work on the chapel.
Archive History Purchased by HES from Bonhams, Knightstbridge on 31 March 2021 with help from the Friends of the National Libraries (www.fnl.org.uk). Accessioned as Acc No 2021/8. Provenance: S. Leigh Sotheby & John Wilkinson, John Britton's Library sale, 4 May 1857, lot 263; unknown sale or bookseller, no. 854 (according to a label on inside front board); Sir Hew Hamilton-Dalrymple (1814-1887) bookplate; Canon George Heb Taylor, Chaplain at Rosslyn until 1963; and thence by descent. In 2022 the album was sent for external conservation by Caroline Scharfenberg. The contents of the album were cleaned of surface dirt and the album was rebound with additional support pages. The spine was reattached and repairs to the binding were carried out with toned Japanese paper to match the original leather. All items within the album were digitised during the course of this conservation work.
System of Arrangement This collection has been fully catalogued and follows the original order of the material as positioned in the album.
Access Conditions Please contact the archive to confirm access in advance of a visit.
Administrative History Rosslyn chapel was established as a collegiate foundation by William St Clair in 1446 with construction continuing until the death of Sir William in 1484. Only the choir and the lower-level sacristy were completed by the time of his death, though the foundations of the nave and transepts had been laid out. The chapel was restored and rededicated in the 19th century.
Finding Aids A detailed description and analysis of the album was written by Angelo Maggi: 'Documents Relating to Roslin Chapel: a recently discovered collection of papers by John Britton', Architectural Heritage, 2002.
Accruals No further accruals are anticipated.
Accession Number 2021/8
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/2172160
