£625
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs | 605
Auction: 17 June 2020 at 11:00 BST
consisting of a folded post marked envelope addressed in Burns' hand to John Ballantine Esq., Banker, Ayr, and a folded strip cut from a letter (receipt unknown) with three lines on each side in Burns' hand. Envelope sheet with two pieces torn from it. Manuscript note inside records it having been given to one George Neill, bookseller in Haddington, by Burns' brother Gilbert of Grants Brae. This is followed by lines written by Robert Hood, Deputy Sheriff Clerk of Haddington, certifying the note about the donation to be in Neill's handwriting. Gilbert Burns was factor at Lennoxlove, Haddington, and lived latterly at Grants Brae. The folded strip in Burns' hand refers to Burns having sold Gilbert's grey (horse), Will[ia]m the saddler and having visited the 'Isle-house, the place where you are to reside a little time'