Letters and cards, circa 1960-1998, of Ian Hamilton Finlay to Katy Gardiner, with a number of his published works and papers, 1988-1994, relating to the Saint-Just Vigilantes and Stonypath/Little Sparta.
Scope and Contents
Ian Hamilton Finlay and Katy Gardiner became friends when they were both students at Glasgow School of Art in 1942. Many of the letters in this collection are undated, but the earliest are probably from the early 1960s when Finlay was living in Fettes Row, Edinburgh. As well as letters, he regularly sent Christmas and Valentine greetings to Gardiner, and made her gifts of his publications. There are also a number of photocopies and documents relating to some Finlay`s battles, most particularly to a group of his supporters whom he dubbed the Saint-Just Vigilantes; they were particularly active in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Also a number of press cuttings and related publications from the same period.
Dates
- Creation: 1960-1998.
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Extent
0.24 Linear metres
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Most of the letters have been filed together, though where they were an enclosure with a book they have been left `in situ`, sometimes in the original packaging. Cards and notices of exhibitions of Ian Hamilton Finlay`s work are filed together as it is sometimes difficult to differentiate between them. So many of the items in the collection are undated that no attempt has been made at this stage to put them in chronological order.
The published material will also be catalogued in the Library`s Main Catalogue.
Other Finding Aids
Listing in progress.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented, 2010, by K. Gardiner, Glasgow.23 February 2010
Appraisal
The material was all muddled together in a box on arrival in NLS. The published material has been kept with the manuscript collection, as much of it carries Finlay`s dedications to Gardiner, and often there is a covering letter or note with the gift.
Separated Materials
Acc.4652, Acc.5600, Acc.6533, Acc.6585, Acc.6589, Acc.8734, Acc.10351, Acc.10806, Acc.10887, Acc.10972, Acc.12553, Acc.12854, Acc.13053.
Subject
- Finlay, Ian Hamilton, poet and sculptor, 1925-2006 (Person)
- Gardiner, Katy, actor and writer, b 1924: former owner (Former owner, Person)
- Title
- National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
- Author
- National Library of Scotland
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Prepared Using Local Descriptive Rules
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
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