Bound volume containing bookplate designs (ex David Laing)

Scope and Content

Book containing twenty-one original designs for bookplates, dating from 1665 to the beginning of the 20th century, of which sixteen came from the collection of David Laing. Also contains the bookplates of the two owners of the book in the late 19th and early 20th century, Euphemia Davidson and William H. Booth.

  • Bookplate of Euphemia Davidson, who owned the book before it was sold in 1899: 'Ex-Libris Euphemia Davidson - Viget Incinere Virtus'
  • Bookplate of William H Booth of Ipswich, who bought the book in 1899: 'Ex-Libris William H. Booth'. Non mihi sed Deo et regi'
  • Design for plate drawn by Sir Walter Scott for himself, signed by him, but unfinished, unique
  • Bookplate design for the Society of Scottish Antiquaries
  • Bookplate design for Steuart, Earl of Moray
  • Bookplate design for John Grieve, Mert. in Edinburgh
  • Fine emblazoned anonymous drawing, signed by E. Martin
  • Bookplate design for Gilbert Mason, also emblazoned and signed by E. Martin, 1795
  • Bookplate design for Sinclair
  • Bookplate design for McNeil, designed of that Ilk
  • Bookplate design for Fletcher, of Saltoun
  • Bookplate design for Richard Wharton Duff, Esq.
  • Bookplate design for Nisbet, of Dirleton
  • Bookplate design for Sandilands
  • Bookplate design for Chalmers Gartgarth
  • Bookplate design for D. Sandford, 1786
  • A Royal Coat
  • Bookplate design for the Prince of Wales, afterwards George II
  • Bookplate design for the Elector of Hanover (reverse)
  • Bookplate design for Robertson
  • Unidentified bookplate design, 1773
  • Bookplate design for George Skene
  • Bookplate design for William Mark(?), 1816

Access Information

Open.

Acquisition Information

Acquired by the library in 1967. Accession no E67/14.

Archivist's Note

Description created by Aline Brodin in April 2019.

Custodial History

Sixteen of the bookplate designs were part of the David Laing Collection. The book belonged to Euphemia Davidson in the late 19th century, before being sold by Sotheby on the 8th of April 1899, to William H. Booth from Ipswich. Some bookplates were added since the sale, perhaps by William Booth.