Library gets cash to restore antique atlas
Map of the Americas was first published in 1776
Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library has been awarded a grant for the restoration of an antique atlas of the Americas.
The precious tome was printed in 1776, the year of the American Declaration of Independence, and features maps of the Americas from the Arctic to Cape Horn.
It is not known how the book came into the possession of the library, which dates from the late 17th century, but it first appeared in the catalogue in 1793.
Leighton Library trustees recently received a £1000 grant towards the £4000 cost of conservation work from the Dunblane Wind Farm Community Fund Committee.
Leighton Library Trust honorary treasurer Chris Onslow said: “The atlas has been popular with our visitors and the maps have suffered from folding and re-folding over the centuries.
“They now require careful conservation treatment and, in some cases, repair. This can only be carried out by skilled conservators.
“The grant will allow for the atlas to be unbound and a start made on the conservation process.
“Further grants are being sought to allow all the plates to be treated in a similar fashion before the volume is rebound.”
The atlas measures 22 inches by 14 and a half inches and was intended to depict the whole of North and South America. However, there are six maps missing from the volume, including the State of Virginia. Maps inside were printed using copper plates.
Mr Onslow added: “Various versions of the atlas exist depending on which maps were ordered by the original purchasers.
“The maps would have been very expensive to buy and few individuals could afford every map.”
Leighton Library,
Scotland’s oldest surviving purpose-built library, is now a category-A listed building. It was completed in 1687 following the death of the Robert Leighton (1611-84) who was Bishop of Dunblane between 1662 and 1672.
The bishop had expressed the wish in his will that his books be left to Dunblane Cathedral. Money was also set aside to construct a building to house the collection.
The building and collection is managed by the Leighton Library Trust, which has its origin in Robert Leighton’s bequest. The library is open to the public during the summer months with the help of volunteers.
A plan has been put together to carry out restoration work on the building following consultation with Stirling Council and Historic Environment Scotland. Funding for this work is also being sought.
Anyone who wishes to discover more about the library or make a donation can contact the trust at www. leightonlibrary.org.uk