Roslin Slide Collection
- Reference:GB 237 Coll-1434
- Dates of Creation:1870s-1930s
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English
- Physical Description:50 boxes, 3,465 slides85 x 85mm 50 boxes, 3,465 slides85 x 85mm
Scope and Content
This collection of 3,465 glass positive slides were acquired from the Roslin Institute in November 2009 as part of a larger accession of material. The slides, which range in date from the 1870s to the 1930s, cover a wide range of subjects; photographs of indigenous peoples from around the world, international travel scenes, personal portraits (frequently of figures connected with the natural/veterinary/agricultural sciences), images and portraits of domestic animals (chiefly sheep, poultry, cows and pigs), illustrations and extracts from books, articles and newspapers. The majority of the slides are black and white, although some are hand-coloured or tinted. Many of the slides were produced by T.J. Walls, an optician on Forrest Road, Edinburgh.
It is thought that at least a proportion of the collection was created or collected by James Cossar Ewart as well as Robert Wallace, in their capacities as professors of, respectively, Natural History and Agriculture at the University of Edinburgh, and were probably used for teaching and illustrative purposes. Both Ewart and Wallace appear (separately) in the slides, as do colleagues and other persons known to both or either of the men. While some of the slides appear to be directly associated with Ewart and/or Wallace, it is supposed that a proportion of the collection may have been sent to them by colleagues from around the world. It is not known how the collection ultimately came to reside at the Roslin Institute.
Arrangement
As there did not seem to be a formal arrangement to the slides when they were acquired, they have simply been listed in their existing running order in a straight numerical sequence.
Access Information
Open.
Acquisition Information
Deposited in November 2009.
Alternative Form Available
No known copies, although clearly some of the images are reproductions from publications or copies of original photographs.
Archivist's Note
Catalogued by Kristy Davis January-June 2013
Conditions Governing Use
Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the Head of Special Collections.
Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents.
Appraisal Information
As far as is known, the material has not been appraised.
Custodial History
Not known.
Accruals
No further accruals likely.
Related Material
The papers of James Cossar Ewart can be found at Coll-14 and the papers of Robert Wallace can be found at Coll-87.
Location of Originals
Some of the images are reproductions from publications or copies of original photographs: this has been noted wherever possible.
Bibliography
No known publications.
Subjects
Corporate Names