• Title : Old Tombs High Church Yard
• Date : 1849
• Condition: (A+) Fine Condition
• Ref:  40244
• Size: 22in x 16in (560mm x 405mm)

Description: 
This beautifully coloured large folio original antique lithograph print, views of old Glasgow now long gone, by the Scottish artist Thomas Fairbairn (1821 - 1885) was published by Miller & Buchanan in the 1849 edition of Relic of Ancient Architecture and other Picturesque Scenes in Glasgow.

Subject Background:
The subjects of this picture are representations of the memorials raised to departed worth by the affection or gratitude of our forefathers. We append a brief notice of each, but the only one of the four deserving of special allusion is that erected to the memory of Dr Peter Low, and now the property of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow. Dr. Low, who was some-time chirurgeon-in-ordinary to the French King, and also to King James VI., and his son the Prince, procured from the latter monarch a charter of erection in favour of the Faculty of Glasgow. The original charter is extant A fine old portrait of Dr. Low is preserved in the Faculty Hall, St.Enoch Square.

No. I.- The first on the left of the Plate.

Erected in 1630, by the Rev. John Dickson, who was married to Janet, daughter of the "Lord Bedlay." Afterwards it appears to have become the property of "Roberton of Bedlay," and latterly of Miss Lennox of Woodhead, who in 1818 disponed it to George Brown of Capelrigg, whose representatives are the present proprietors.

No. II.

"Here lyes ane Treu faithfull Brother, William Robertson, Merchand Burges of Glasgow. Decesit ye 24 June, 1617."

"W.R. AB."

This tomb appears afterwards to have belonged to Morehead of Bredisholm, although there is no entry in the Register to that effect. The present proprietor is not known.

No. III.

Monument to Dr PETER Low, Founder of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow.

INSCRIPTION.

Stay, Passenger, and view this Stone,

For under it lys such an one,

Who cur'd many while he liv'd,

So gracious he no man griev'd;

Yea, when his Physick's force oft fail'd,

His pleasant Purpose then prevail'd;

For of his God he got the Grace,

To live in Mirth and die in Peace.

Heaven has his soul, his corpse this Stone:

Sigh, passenger, and then be gone.

Ah! me. I gravel am and dust,

And to the grave deshend I must;

O! painted piece of liveing clay,

Man be not proud of thy short day.

This Burial Place was purchased by and is now the property of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons.

No. IV.

"Erected by Archd. Mure, Merchant, 1616, and descended to his daughter, Margaret Mure, who was married to James Hamilton. Afterwards it became the property of Provost John Gibson, in right of his wife, Christian Anderson, grand-child of the above James Hamilton and Margaret Mure. It afterwards became the property of William Anderson, merchant, in right of his wife, Christian Gibson, daughter of Provost John Gibson; and their only child, Christian Anderson, was the next successor. She dying unmarried, was succeeded by her cousin, Margaret Mather, relict of Archibald Anderson, brewer in Glasgow, who upon the 13th May, 1797, disponed this property to Thomas Buchanan, merchant in Glasgow; and upon the 13th March, 1806, it was conveyed by Jane Buchanan, his daughter, to James Buchanan,* merchant, Glasgow." - (From Register of Burial Grounds.)

* Late of Dowanhill, whose representatives are the present proprietors.

Relic of Ancient Architecture and other Picturesque Scenes in Glasgow, was published large folio size in 1849, containing 19 large folio coloured lithograph prints and has long since been out of print. A praiseworthy motive induced Mr. James Bogle, at one time Lord Dean of Guild, and a member of an old and highly-respected Glasgow family, to engage Mr. Thomas Fairbairn to reproduce them, before they passed into oblivion, some "Relics of Ancient Architecture and Picturesque Scenes in Glasgow." The immediate cause of Mr. Bogle's resolve was the fall of a sugar-house in Alston Street, by which some six or seven lives were lost, and a resolution on the part of the Dean of Guild Court to make a general survey of the City with a view to the removal of old houses which, from age or other causes, were considered to be unfit for habitation. Mr. Bogle naturally thought that this was the proper time to reproduce in permanent form a fair presentment of many of the noted houses of old Glasgow.
Along with Mr. Fairbairn, the artist, Mr. Bogle made a tour of the City, and selected subjects for the drawings, nearly all of which are now gone, and those few that remain are so altered as to be almost irrecognisable.
A general wish having been expressed for a reproduction of the work, the publishers some time ago engaged Mr. Fairbairn (now alas! gone) to reproduce the original sketches, and also add a number of others of interest before the rapid growth of the City extinguishes or entirely defaces their subjects.
The drawings are now thirty in number, and have been reproduced by Messrs. Annan's new process of photo-engraving, which it will be observed, gives the effect of finely finished mezzo-tints.
The letterpress descriptions of the original edition are from the pen of the late Mr. James Pagan, Editor of the Glasgow Herald, and the descriptions of the new scenes have been supplied by his successor, the present Editor of that journal.
It ought to be stated that the descriptive portions, written by Mr. Pagan more than thirty years ago, have not been touched; so that readers should understand that they refer to the Glasgow of a former generation, and are all indicated in the Contents by an asterisk.

General Description:
Paper thickness and quality: - Heavy & stable
Paper color: - White
Age of map color: - Original
Colors used: - Red, green, blue, brown  
General color appearance: - Authentic   
Paper size: - 22in x 16in (560mm x 405mm)
Margins: - Min 4in (100mm)

Imperfections:
Margins: - None
Plate area: - None
Verso: - None