Edinburgensia: A collection of over 60 17th-19th century items in one volume
Bound-with volumes, or analytical volumes, are often the bane of a cataloguer’s existence and are sometimes the last items to come off of a shelf for work. Stories have been circulated about bound-with volumes of 200-300 musical items that have taken months to catalogue. However, these pesky items can also be a gold mine of unrecorded bibliographic items, simply because no one has had the time or patience to work with them. TypBE.C89XS is such an item. This unsuspecting, slim volume’s only clue to what lay inside its covers was its spine title: Edinburgensia. This volume contained 63 individual items, including four manuscript items, that reflect a 200 year ephemeral history of Auld Reekie. Of the 59 printed items, 14 are completely unique and had not been recorded in ESTC previously (pictured below). These items range from broadsides and political pamphlets to issues of short-run newspapers and press-gang exemption forms. This volume was probably gathered by Sir William John Menzies (1834–1905), whose signature is found on the later items in the volume.
–Daryl Green
- A petition for the rescission of the Act of the Magdalen Chapel (1686) to the Deacon Convener of the Hammermen of Edinburgh
- A reply to a petition for the rescission of the Act of the Magdalen Chapel (1686) entitled: “Unto his wisdom, the Deacon Conveener, and remanent deacons of the respective incorporations of the good town …”
- Information regarding the publication of a petition for the rescission of the Act of the Magdalen Chapel (1686) entitled: “Unto his wisdom, the Deacon Conveener, and remanent deacons of the respective incorporations of the good town …”
- Information issued based on a request to reinstate the Barron Baillie of Brughtoun [Broughton] as a separate office from the Baillie of Canongate.
- Includes rules for operation and a schedule of regular prices for coaches to be enforced by the Master of Coaches.
- A table of standard costs for customs for the sale of meat, tallow and cloth in their respective markets in Edinburgh, with regulations for selling and fines for not using the city’s Tron (scales).
- Includes reprinted news from major European and British newspapers and local stocks and advertisements.
- An exemption from the Act of Parliament recruiting for service in the War of Spanish Succession.
- Instructions for the taking of tariffs on wine and liquor coming into Edinburgh.
- An Act of Edinburgh City Council during the construction of New Town.
- An Act of Edinburgh City Council during the construction of New Town.
- An early case relative to the import tariffs on corn, includes a copy of two letters from James Stirling, Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh to “The Right Honourable Henry Dundas”.
- Legislation for the accurate record of goods being transported by carriers in and out of Edinburgh.
- Outlines the history of the Edinburgh Association for Prosecuting Thieves (from 1793) and reports on the most recent meeting of the Committee of Directors (1 September 1796).
Absolutely fascinating reading, Daryl.