'Newspaper and magazine delivery book' containing cuttings and notes, circa 1945, of Robert Blair Wilkie; later repurposed by Alasdair Gray, 2005, as a diary., 1945, 2005.
Scope and Contents
From Alasdair Gray's description:
In 1945 [Robert Blait Wilkie] pasted newspaper cuttings referring to Scottish affairs into 11 pages, then made several [manuscript] notes, chiefly on recto pages, for an essay on the Scottish theatre. They show some animosity toward the Glasgow playwright, James Bridie.
[...]
On 3rd November 2005, when on leave from the Brownlee Infectious Disease clinic of Gartnavel Hospital, I turned the book upside down and started a diary on the end flyleaf. This continued with numbered entries through most of November, then mingled with notes for A Life in Pictures and lesser matters until most blank pages were filled with [manuscript].
Dates
- Creation: 1945, 2005.
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Conditions Governing Use
Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.
Extent
1 Volumes ; 12.75 x 7.75 inches.
Language of Materials
English
Custodial History
From Alasdair Gray's description:
[The book] was owned by Robert Blair Wilkie, Scottish Nationalist colleague of Oliver Brown and Wendy Wood, author of 'Remembered radiance' (1956), and latterly curator of Glasgow’s People’s Palace Local History Museum.
[...]
He and his wife lived in 37 Kersland Street when I lived in 39, but I first conversed with him when Elspeth King – then acting curator of the People’s Palace – commissioned me to draw a portrait as a gift to him, either on his birthday or on his finally retiring as curator after leaving her to do the job for many years. He gave the book to me because he thought his notes might help me to write something better about Scottish theatre.
Physical Description
From Alasdair Gray's description:
A label on the front states that it is a 'Newspaper and magazine delivery book' and was printed by William Holmes & Co Ltd, wholesale newsagents and stationers, 76 Mitchell Street, Glasgow'. It has 128 pages printed with feint red horizontal and vertical lines.
Repository Details
Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700
manuscripts@nls.uk