Antique atlas on display in Dunblane
An antique atlas of the Americas will go on display in Dunblane next month for the first time since its conservation almost three years ago.
It cost £4000 to carry out restoration work on the atlas, printed in 1776, the year of the American Declaration of Independence.
The book measures 22 inches by 14 and a half inches and features maps of the Americas from the Arctic to Cape Horn.
It is not known how it came into the possession of Dunblane’s Leighton Library, which dates from the late 17th century, but it first appeared in the catalogue in 1793.
The 1776 Atlas of the Americas will go on display at Dunblane Museum from
Thursday May 5 to Monday May 30 along with significant books which discussed the American War of Indepence like Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations and first editions of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense and The Rights of Man.
The conservation work was carried out by Helen Creasy and colleagues at The Scottish Conservation Studio based at Hopetoun House.
Leighton Library honorary treasurer Chris Onslow said this week: “Over the years the maps have been shown to many visitors to the library and as a result some of them had edge tears, creases, crumpling, light discolouration and foxing. Following the conservation treatment work, the atlas is now in very good condition and many I’m sure will find it fascinating. It is a fine example of professional conservation and we are very pleased with the result and how well the work has been carried out.”
Trustees had received a £1000 grant towards the £4000 cost of the book’s conservation work from the Dunblane Wind Farm Community Fund Committee.
The Leighton Library, Scotland’s oldest surviving purpose-built library, is 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.
Restoration work is also planned for the Leighton Library building following consultation with Stirling Council and Historic Environment Scotland and sources of funding are currently being sought.
Chris added: “The work is now going to cost in the region of £500,000. Our appeal is going well and to date we have raised £172,000 (34% of the total required) with generous grants having been received from, amongst others, The Pilgrim Trust and the Swire Charitable Trust.
“Interest is also being indicated for further grants and donations from a number of other trusts and foundations and we are continuing to fundraise to achieve everything we would like to do.”
Anyone who wishes to discover more about the library or make a donation can contact the trust at www.leightonlibrary. org.uk