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Commonplace book

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Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]3420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6206

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

This volume was probably written by a woman named Fanny who lived in Scotland. The volume, in a neat calligraphic hand, is comprised of copied poems, information on science and history, and drawings in pencil and ink. Interspersed throughout the volume are twenty drawings in pencil of mansions, castles, and ruins in their surrounding landscape. Many are full-page drawings and most are labeled, for instance "Ruins of Craigmillar Castle." One drawing in ink is titled The Copernican solar system. Contained in the volume are poems by Anne Letitia Barbauld (1743-1825), Thomas Gray (1716-1771), and George Lyttelton (1709-1773). Items in French and Italian also appear in the volume including a French story Le leopard et l'ecureuil and a sonnet by Zappi in Italian. There are items copied from past issues of The Spectator, a daily published from 1711 to 1712. In addition to literary items are notes regarding subject in science. There are explanations of the constellations divided by northern, southern, and zodiacal and a chart for mineralogy. Historical items include a chronological history of the Scottish kings beginning in 1033, ink drawings with labels of crowns for kings, various royals, and bishops, and ink drawings of the distinction of houses. A history of the biblical world beginning with the date 4004 B.C. is recorded starting from the back of the volume. Many pencil drawings have been signed Fanny and some bear the date 1826. Written in a different hand are several pages titled "Introduction to animal productions" providing zoological classifications and some notes of specific animals. Laid in the volume is a paper lace book mark with "Lord hear my prayer" embroidered in green thread.

Sold by Lesley Aitchison (Bristol, United Kingdom), 2015.

Publisher
University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts
Finding Aid Author
Donna Brandolisio
Finding Aid Date
November 2015
Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Copyright restrictions may exist. For most library holdings, the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania do not hold copyright. It is the responsibility of the requester to seek permission from the holder of the copyright to reproduce material from the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts.

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Commonplace book, 1823-1826. 1 Volume(s).
Volume 1
Physical Description

1 Volume(s)

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