Feb 05, 2016 Frederick Stewart Buchanan, in memorium

“Farewel, my friends! farewel, my foes!
My peace with these, my love with those:
The bursting tears my heart declare-
Farewel, the bonie banks of Ayr!”
— Robert Burns, 1786

The staff of the Rare Books Department extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of Frederick S. Buchanan (1931-2016). Professor Buchanan was a friend of the department and of Special Collections through his donation of much wonderful material, including these scarce Scottish chapbooks. Rare Books remembers, with gratitude, years of Professor Buchanan’s kind, quiet, patient and friendly support. Thank you, Dr. Buchanan. Memory eternal!

THE DUKE OF GORDON’S THREE DAUGHTERS
Glascow: Printed by J. & M. Robertson, 1808
PR8624 A2 D84 1808

THREE EXCELLENT NEW SONGS
Falkirk: Printed by T. Johnston, 1809
PR8624 A2 T47 1809

THE CONSTANT SHEPHERD
Falkirk: Printed & Sold by T. Johnston, 1810
PR8624 A2 C66 1810

“Chapbooks” are so-called because they were sold by “chapmen,”– itinerant merchants who mostly peddled small portable items such as needles, thread, scissors, eyeglasses, and cloth. Along with these practical items, they often also sold ballads. At first, these ballads were usually sold as single sheets. In Scotland, beginning around 1720, the ballads took shape as a small, multi-paged booklet and sold for about a halfpenny. Larger prose texts were also sold for about a penny. Chapbooks were sold without wrappers, or protective coverings, but were made well enough for frequent handling. Although Scottish chapbooks surviving from this period are not uncommon, these three are among the most rare. The Duke of Gordon’s Daughters was a particular favorite in its time. Many of the ballads in The Constant Shepherd were well known. This chapbook, however, also contains ballads of a particularly topical and timely nature. These more ephemeral ballads were often only printed in one edition. University of Utah copies gift of Frederick S. Buchanan.

Source: Rare Books (OpenBook) Blog