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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: kimi1977 on March 16, 2014, 09:25:05 AM

Title: Robert Burns Letter
Post by: kimi1977 on March 16, 2014, 09:25:05 AM

I have in my possession a letter from Robert Burns to "Mr James Johnson" Engraver. 1 page, writing on both sides .

Does anyone know what it could be worth?

image attached.

Title: Re: Robert Burns Letter
Post by: mart on March 16, 2014, 01:43:50 PM

Ipcress could possibly tell you !! He is in the UK !!

Title: Re: Robert Burns Letter
Post by: Rauville on March 16, 2014, 02:45:35 PM

It's worth having someone with some knowledge take a look, that's for sure!
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/15232/lot/414/ (http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/15232/lot/414/)

Have you looked here?
http://www.fullbooks.com/The-Letters-of-Robert-Burns.html (http://www.fullbooks.com/The-Letters-of-Robert-Burns.html)

Title: Re: Robert Burns Letter
Post by: kimi1977 on March 16, 2014, 02:52:49 PM

Thank you, I will take a look.  I did a basic search on Google but it would be good to have more exact knowledge/value :)

Title: Re: Robert Burns Letter
Post by: KC on March 17, 2014, 09:33:09 AM

I would definitely get it to someone who knows the difference because there were/are forgeries out there.  See this article:
http://archiveshub.ac.uk/data/gb237-coll-1166 (http://archiveshub.ac.uk/data/gb237-coll-1166)

Title: Re: Robert Burns Letter
Post by: Ipcress on March 20, 2014, 05:59:06 AM

It's a known letter, listed in his works with plenty of references to in on the internet. The " ink " almost looks like facsimile and there are thousands of books about Burns and other literary figures which sometimes include facsimiles of these letters " tipped in " to the binding.

" Burns also wrote to James Johnson in Edinburgh and requested a copy of "The Scots Musical Museum" for Jessie, saying "My wife has a very particular friend, a young lady who sings well, to whom she wishes to present the Scots Musical Museum, If you have a spare copy, will you be so obliging as to send it by the very first fly, as I am anxious to have it soon "

http://www.auldlangsyne.org.uk/letters/236.html (http://www.auldlangsyne.org.uk/letters/236.html)

The paper stock also seems wrong for the period.

How did you acquire it ?

Title: Re: Robert Burns Letter
Post by: kimi1977 on March 20, 2014, 06:46:45 AM

Thanks for your reply, yes the paper doesnt look right to me, shall I scan the whole thing and email so you can check both sides?

It has been in my nans drawer for many years, my mum is clearing out old letters/paperwork.

but yes it does match this letter 
http://www.auldlangsyne.org.uk/letters/236.html