THEY are the kind of literary treasures that would command eye-watering prices from private collectors, but a rarely seen archive of Robert Burns manuscripts held by Glasgow City Council is to go on display at a special event.
The documents – which have never been exhibited together before – include autographed manuscripts of some of the Bard’s best-loved works.
Councillor David McDonald, chair of the city’s culture and leisure arm’s-length external organisation, Glasgow Life, said the one-off show is expected to generate “huge interest”.
With Burns amongst the world’s best-loved poets, this could include visitors from abroad.
The event has been put together by the Special Collections team at the city’s Mitchell Library to mark Doors Open Day, which encourages the public to take a look inside churches, galleries, municipal buildings and other notable sites.
Literature lovers attending the Burns exhibition will be able to take in the famous verses of Hogmanay favourite Auld Lang Syne as written in Burns’ own hand.
The collection also features signed manuscripts of Ye Banks and Braes and the Ordination, along with an annotated copy of the landmark Kilmarnock edition of his works.
The last surviving letter written in Scots by the poet to his friend William Nicol will complete the set.
However, it can only be seen for a few hours, opening at 10am on Saturday and ending at 3pm that afternoon. The library’s experts will give a talk on the works and their author at 2pm.
McDonald said: “Glasgow’s Robert Burns Collection is renowned as one of the best in the world.
“Like many others, the Mitchell Library is embracing the theme of history, heritage and archaeology and providing a unique opportunity to see four autographed manuscripts and a rare Kilmarnock first edition book by one of Scotland’s most famous sons, displayed together for the first time.
“We think this will generate a huge amount of interest and like all of the Doors Open Day events encourage Glaswegians and visitors into the city to explore some of its many treasures this weekend.”
As well as the Burns event, The National’s own Scots scriever Rab Wilson will appear in person to entertain youngsters aged five to 11 using the language in a morning session.
Glasgow Life says the package makes for a “must-visit for anyone with an interest in Scottish history”.
It comes after hundreds queued for a glimpse of historic documents linked to Mary, Queen of Scots in a similar event run by the National Library of Scotland.
Elsewhere in the city, the refurbished Kelvingrove Bandstand will open its doors to non-performers, hosting a concert by the Maxwell Quartet.
McDonald said: “Glasgow’s Doors Open Day is a week-long celebration of events, walks and talks and venues throwing open their doors and encouraging people to take a look.
“The jam-packed programme offers a rare opportunity to see inside stunning buildings or discover the unusual work that often goes on there.”
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