The papers are arranged chronologically.

Passport style photograph, undated, [1978-1983], of Ian Rankin, possibly from a student union card for Edinburgh University. Folio 1.

Job application and contract, 1986, of Ian Rankin and Middlesex Polytechnic for a position as a Part-Time Administrative Secretary at the National Folk Tale Centre, which Rankin held from 1986-1988. Folios 2-5.

Press cutting, undated, [before 1989], from an unidentified newspaper of a photograph of Ian Rankin’s father, Jim, with Annie Brogan at the Bowral Memorial Hall, Australia. Folio 6.

Note, undated, [circa 1990], of Ian Rankin of several addresses of real estate agencies in France. Folio 7.

Notes, undated, [1990-1996], of Ian Rankin on home repairs for his house in France, written on the back of his Hi-Fi Review business card. Folio 8.

Wish list, undated, [1991-1996], of Ian Rankin, “Things I’d like if I had money:” Folio 9.

National Library of Scotland Short Term Reader’s Ticket, 1995, issued to Ian Rankin. This reader’s ticket was used by Rankin while researching his novel ‘Black and Blue’. Folio 10.

Photograph (printed on regular paper), [circa 2009], of Ian Rankin with Margaret Atwood and Graeme Gibson in Edinburgh. Folio 11.

Colour photograph, 2016, of Ian Rankin at the wedding reception of Tim Howar, singer with Mike and the Mechanics, and Jodie Oliver. Annotated on the back, ‘When the daughter of one of your drinking mates from the Oxford marries the singer of Mike + the Mechanics …’. Folio 12.