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Treasure 35: Notes and Jottings of G.M. Fraser
2323 George Milne Fraser had a lifelong interest and expertise in local history; delivering talks (as seen in the December 2015 Treasure), publishing books and numerous letters and articles in the local press. His 'Notes and Jottings' collection comprise over 70 volumes, mostly hand written (including a form of shorthand), which are a treasure trove of information about the local area.
Within these notebooks are newspaper articles and advertisements, photographs, personal correspondence, sketches and many other interesting bits and pieces. Library staff have compiled an index to this invaluable resource and consult it on a regular basis when researching enquiries. It is quite a challenge deciphering his handwriting sometimes!
As a journalist by profession, G. M. Fraser retained his talent for writing and contributed articles to the Aberdeen Free Press, Bon Accord and Northern Pictorial, Evening Gazette, and journals such as the Deeside Field.
His contributions to local literature began in 1904 with the publication of The Green. Historical Aberdeen appeared the following year and after Aberdeen Street Names in 1911 the Town Clerk Depute wrote to Fraser with the words "We must now regard you as our Principal Historian".
The Life and Work of G. M. Fraser
G. M. Fraser was appointed city librarian in 1899 and was the second public librarian in Aberdeen. He can be seen on the far right of this image from the library archive.
His name was known all over the north east and he was mentioned in the chorus of one of Harry Gordon's popular songs, The Auldest Aiberdonian: "I ken lots o' stories G. M. Fraser disna ken". On 30 October 1923 he gave a 15 minute talk on the radio about Castlegate, becoming the first librarian in Aberdeen to make a radio broadcast.
During his term of office there were many developments in the Library service:
- The Central Library was extended in 1905 to include a new reading room
- Branch reading rooms and delivery stations were established throughout the city
- The Juvenile Library in Skene Street opened in 1911
- Open access was introduced in the Lending Library 1925 (find out more about Open Access libraries in the October treasures!)
- Fraser's strongest legacy is the Local Studies collection, which still contains many of our treasures.
G. M. Fraser was remembered very fondly after his death on 7 June 1938. There were many tributes including one from the Library Committee. Perhaps one of the warmest tributes was paid by his successor as City Librarian, Marcus Milne:
"Somehow the Library and G.M. were one. You could not think of the Library without thinking of that kindly figure who was head of it; and one could not meet him without thinking of the building he graced for so long. Mr Fraser had 2 hobbies and work was both of them. He lived for nothing else. The library was ever uppermost in his thoughts and closely allied to his love for the Library was his great love for things Aberdeen".
Mr Fraser's funeral service was attended by many prominent city officials and floral wreaths included one from Lady Aberdeen with the inscription "In affectionate and grateful remembrance of a much valued friend". He is buried in Springbank Cemetery.
In 1955, Aberdeen's first post-war permanent branch library was opened at Northfield and named the G. M. Fraser Branch Library in his honour.
In further recognition of his contribution to the development of the Library service, a commemorative plaque can be found on the front of the Central Library building. Northfield Library
3836 This photograph from 1967 shows children reading books in Northfield Library, Aberdeen.
Northfield Library opened in October 1955 as part of a plan formulated by the Library Committee to extend the provision of branch libraries into new housing areas.
In January 1950, building began on the Northfield estate, the first major housing development in post war Aberdeen. By June 1952, 800 families had moved to the area and were served by the mobile library which made evening visits to Marchburn Drive and Deansloch Terrace. These sites were very busy with over 9,000 books issued and people often queued to use the service.
At a meeting of the Public Library Committee in January 1953 it was agreed to ask Aberdeen Corporation to erect a library building on a site in Northfield.
The construction of a new branch library began in the autumn of 1954. On 12th October 1955, the G. M. Fraser Branch (named in memory of the late City Librarian) was officially opened on Byron Square by Mr. Thomas Johnston, former Scottish Secretary.
The success and popularity of Northfield Library inspired the committee to open a similar unit on the adjacent housing estate of Mastrick. The first section of the new Mastrick Branch Library opened on Greenfern Road on 18th October 1957, with the second section opening in 1961. Treasure 51: Central Library Extension Plan 1902
226 In this Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design we feature a plan from our archive showing the proposed extension to the original Central Library building. Previously, the building was around half the size of what it is now - the area which houses the Children's Library and Media Centre was added in the extension to the building in 1905.
By 1900 - less than 10 years since the Central Library first opened - the need for an extension was recognised with reports from the time describing The Reading Room as "congested, dark and inaccessible". In 1902, the architects Brown and Watt designed a 2-storey central piece with a single storey extending west to the junction of Skene Street, and ending in a tower. The extension cost £7,700 and opened on 18 May 1905. Built in keeping with the character of the main structure, it was described as a "harmony of architectural features". Facilities included a new Reading Room, a Stock Room, an upgraded Reference Department and public toilets.
The new Reading Room was painted in colours of citron and cream and described as "handsome, airy, bright and convenient". The 2000 readers who frequented it daily would have been well satisfied with 21 dailies, 100 weeklies, 78 monthlies and 11 quarterlies to choose from. Railway Timetables were also stocked.
The rules of the reading room were strictly enforced. Time restraints on newspapers were also in operation. Readers were given 10 minutes to "occupy a page if another reader has expressed a wish to have it turned".
Treasure 56: Cooke's Royal Circus Programme, 1880s
232 A world-famous equestrian establishment, the Cooke's Royal Circus provided family entertainment in Aberdeen for 125 years. One of the stars of the show, John Henry Cooke, was born in New York 180 years ago this month.
Part of the fifth generation of the family, John Henry Cooke began acting at the age of four and was an expert tightrope walker by the time he was five years old. At 18, he was known as the "champion equestrian of the universe". When he was young, John Henry Cooke moved with his family to Aberdeen, where he would grow up to entertain and amuse the public with his equestrian and gymnastic skills.
To mark the anniversary of his birth, this month's treasures include our collection of Cooke's Royal Circus programmes, which advertised equestrian acts and performances in Aberdeen from around 1880.
Read more about the circus and the many stars of the show - including Little Pickles and the Leotard Family - in the Treasures from our Collections interactive exhibition on the touchscreens in Central, Airyhall, Tillydrone and Mastrick libraries. Treasure 59: City of Aberdeen Coronation Celebrations Programme, 1953
235 This month we pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who became the longest ever reigning British monarch on 10 September 2015.
On 21 April this year Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 90th birthday and on 11 June will take part in the Trooping The Colour ceremony to commemorate her official birthday.
We feature a selection of local material celebrating her Coronation which took place in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953. Aberdeen celebrated the Coronation with a full programme of events designed to interest the whole community including inter-city sports meetings, a grand procession, historical pageant, youth festival and many more.
Find out more about these events in our interactive exhibition on touchscreens in Central, Airyhall, Tillydrone and Mastrick libraries.
Treasure 66: Aberdeen International Youth Festival Programmes
266 The Aberdeen International Youth Festival (AIYF) takes place in venues across the city and beyond from 29 July to 6 August 2016. This will be the 44th year that Aberdeen has hosted a youth arts festival and Aberdeen Local Studies hold a large collection of programmes and flyers from throughout its history.
The AIYF as we know it today evolved out of an earlier undertaking called the International Festival of Youth Orchestras (IFYO) which was first held in Aberdeen in 1973.
The festival became known as the Aberdeen International Youth Festival in 1983, the same year in which the AIYF Dance School, AIYF International Music School and the Mary Garden Memorial Prize were established.
AIYF has welcomed over 30,000 performers to Aberdeen since its inception and has become one of Scotland's major international cultural events, offering unique opportunities to the local community and talented young performers from around the world.
Find out more about the ups and downs of the festival's history in the Treasures from our Collections interactive exhibition on the touchscreen in Central, Airyhall, Tillydrone and Mastrick libraries. Treasure 67: Proposed Bathing Station and Promenade for Aberdeen Beach, 1893
267 We're revisiting Aberdeen Beach again this month as we take a closer look at a lithograph of the Proposed Beach Bathing Station and Promenade from 1893 by City Architect John Rust and Alexander Gibb & Co.
The Bathing Station opened in May 1896 and featured a range of brand new facilities in a purpose-built, red brick building at Aberdeen Beach. Facilities included plunging baths supplied with fresh and salt water, retiring rooms and a refreshment room.
It proved so popular that it had been extended by 1898 to include a swimming pool, water chute, additional baths and Turkish Baths.
Generations of Aberdonians learnt to swim in the fresh water pool. The prominent Victorian red brick building stood overlooking the beach and smoke could often be seen pouring from its monumental chimney stack which dominated the city skyline.
By the 1970s, the building was gradually deteriorating and a decline in use sadly led to its closure in July 1972 before the building was demolished.
View images from our archive of Aberdeen Bathing Station in the Treasures from our Collections interactive exhibition on the touchscreens in Central, Airyhall, Tillydrone and Mastrick libraries. Treasure 69: Mrs Elmslie's Institution Plans by Archibald Simpson, 1837
269 Mrs Elmslie was one of a number of Victorian philanthropic benefactors sympathetic to the plight of those who were poor, neglected or homeless and on 19 November 1840, she opened the Aberdeen Female Orphan Asylum - known also as Mrs Elmslie's Institution - on 19 Albyn Place.
This lithograph shows the building as originally envisaged by architect Archibald Simpson with little gate-houses at either side of the street entrance. Aberdeen City Libraries hold a series of 14 plans of the granite building which have been bound together into a single volume. The collection includes elevations, sections and floor plans dated September 1837.
The Orphan Asylum closed its doors on 27 July 1891 and the remaining girls were transferred to the Girls' Home and School of Domestic Economy on King Street. The building was sold to the Aberdeen School Board for £4,500 and, after extensive additions and refurbishment, it became the new home of Aberdeen High School for Girls, renamed as Harlaw Academy in 1970.
Find out more about Mrs Elmslie and her Institution, including its rules and regulations, daily meals and class timetables, in the Treasures from our Collections exhibition on touchscreens in Central, Airyhall, Tillydrone and Mastrick libraries. Treasure 71: Crathie Churches and Royal Bazaar at Balmoral, September 1894
273 Every year Her Majesty the Queen and members of the royal family visit Balmoral Castle and during their stay they may attend services in Crathie Church. This treasure from our Local Studies collection highlights the close connection which has existed for well over a century between the Royal Family and the local church and people in Crathie.
Bazaar books were created to help raise church funds and this particular book is unusual as it was written and published after - rather than before - the bazaar took place. In this sense it might be regarded as a more accurate historical document. It was written by William W Philip, Assistant Forester at Balmoral, and the accounts given are based on his personal observations of the bazaar.
The royal family were closely involved in the organisation and running of the bazaar and it was opened by HRH Princess Louise on the first day and on the second day by her husband, the Marquis of Lorne.
The event was a lavish affair and took place close to Balmoral Castle in the aptly named Statue Park where statues of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert still stand.
Find out more about the vast array of items on sale and the entertainment on offer at the Bazaar in the Treasures from our Collections interactive exhibition on the touchscreen in Central, Airyhall, Tillydrone and Mastrick libraries.
Treasure 73: Jamieson's Dictionary of the Scottish Language, 1895
275 Our treasure for the month of September looks at the person responsible for collating the first dictionary of the Scottish language. Born in Glasgow in 1759, John Jamieson was the son of a Scottish minister. Following his father's path, Jamieson studied theology and became pastor of a congregation at Forfar, Angus in 1781.
Alongside his ecclesiastical work, Jamieson developed a passionate interest in the development and study of language - philology. In Forfar, Jamieson briefly met Grimur Thorkelin, the National Archivist of Denmark who was in Britain researching the links between Danish and English. Thorkelin's chief legacy was the transcription and publication of the epic medieval poem, Beowulf.
From conversation with Thorklein, Jamieson set himself upon the task of recording those words he felt were exclusive to Scotland. It would be twenty years before his lifetime's work, The Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language would be published.
Subsequent revisions, amendments and abridgements refined Jamieson's original work - refuting some claims of Gothic origin, and proposing others. Our treasure is one of the revised editions of Jamieson's original work - a later edition from 1895.
View the Treasures from our Collection interactive exhibition on the touchscreen in Central, Airyhall, Tillydrone and Mastrick libraries to find out more about John Jamieson and his work.
Treasure 74: Kelly's Cats
276 One of this month's treasures showcases some of the most famous felines in the Silver City. Cast-iron and proud in their stance, despite their small stature, the cats silently stand watch over the citizens of Aberdeen as they sit atop the parapet of Union Bridge. These silent sentinels are known as 'Kelly's Cats', named after noted Aberdeen architect William Kelly (1861-1944).
Although some cats remain at their post on Union Bridge, others were removed in the 1960s when shops were added to one side of the bridge (where the Trinity Centre stands). Today, some of the cats can be found in Duthie Park and three were gifted to Aberdeen City Libraries where they have spent many years watching over the staff of the Central Library.
This September sees the launch of The Cat Parade in Aberdeen, a civic art project centred around our Union Bridge cats.
Up to 100 concrete replicas of 'Kelly's Cats' have been decorated by sponsoring organisations, and are being exhibited in the window of Waterstones throughout the month. At Aberdeen City Libraries, we have sponsored our very own cat - decorated by three of our talented members of staff, Meghan, Sarah, and Rhys.
The design of the cat is inspired by the history of Aberdeen Central Library ahead of its 125th Anniversary in July 2017 and is named Valentine after one of our most influential past employees, Miss Emma Valentine, who became the first female Assistant in Charge of the Reference Department between 1892 and 1915. You can view Valentine in Waterstones this month and in the Central Library from October.
Find out more about the history of the cats and the mystery surrounding their true designer in the Treasures from our Collections exhibition on the touchscreen in Central, Airyhall, Tillydrone and Mastrick libraries. Treasure 76: Aberdeen Film Society Programmes, 1949-1954
287 From 17 to 26 October 2016, the Aberdeen Film Festival takes place in ACT Aberdeen and Woodend Barn. The schedule includes an array of independent movies from Aberdeen and around the globe, a 48-hour filmmaking challenge and two free screenings of classic films for school students.
To celebrate the festival and all things cinematic this month we are taking another trip into Aberdeen City Libraries' film related material. The Local Studies collection contains programmes for the Aberdeen Film Society from the period of 1949 to 1954. These programmes offer a fascinating glimpse into the historic film culture of the city outside standard commercial cinema exhibition.
Our first programme is from the 16th season of film exhibition which took place in 1949-50.
Find out more about the history of the Society and its pioneering work in the Treasures from our Collections interactive exhibition on the touchscreens in Central, Airyhall, Tillydrone and Mastrick libraries. Treasure 77: The Castle Spectre, 1876 - 1888
288 One of our treasures this month is a rare periodical known as The Castle Spectre. It is unusual as it was printed and published by a Victorian family from their home at 'The Castle', 6 Mackie Place, and later from 'The Galleries' on Skene Street West, and offers an insight into the lives of a middle-class family in Victorian Aberdeen. The copy on display was gifted to the library by the editor, Alexander D Forbes in 1888, and includes a handwritten letter to the City Librarian at the time.
It not only contains amateur poetry, literature, and social and religious commentary, but also sheds a light on a forgotten and mysterious dwelling place in the heart of the city. The area in question is the land behind Skene Street, encompassing Mackie Place, and the grounds of three old houses long since demolished by the Denburn - Cherry Vale, 'The Galleries', and the White House, also known as 'The Castle'.
As long as 'The Castle' at 6 Mackie Place existed (it was built towards the end of the 18th or beginning of the 19th century, according to various reports) it was described as being haunted. No accounts mention a specific ghost, but the eccentricities of the occupant and his young family helped to fuel the reputation for the Castle's hauntings. The first issue of The Castle Spectre (October 21, 1876) states:
"We are the dwellers in that house in the neighbourhood of Skene Street known to the "oldest inhabitants" as the Haunted House, to younger inhabitants as the Castle, and to the Post Office as No.6 Mackie Place. In former days we were "desp'rate wicked". We dressed ourselves in white sheets, and popped out upon passers by, frightening them into fits. We used to scoop out the largest turnips?and having cut out slices to represent eyes, nose, and mouth, light candles in them, and stick them on poles in hedges?We used to lie behind low walls and growl like bears, or caterwaul like cats, whenever any weakly-looking person was passing?In short, we were the terror of the neighbourhood."
View the Treasures from our Collections interactive exhibition on the touchscreens in Central, Airyhall, Tillydrone and Mastrick libraries to find out more about the spooky publication and mysterious Mackie Place. Treasure 79: Cosmo Mitchell Collection
290 Adam "Cosmo" Mitchell was born at Kennethmont in 1860. Raised on a croft, little is known of his early childhood but by the age of 21, he had become a dancing master teaching in several areas near his home.
By the end of 1881, Mitchell had brought his dance classes to Aberdeen. Using rooms in the Music Hall for instruction, he taught children and adults in increasingly popular classes.
His professional associations with local schools, as well as local, regional and international societies, also helped strengthen his professional reputation and furthered his integrity as an authority on dancing and, by 1895-6, he was creating his own dances.
Mitchell joined the newly-formed Imperial Society of Dance Teachers in 1904. By the following year, he had been elected as vice-president and continued to be re-elected in that post for many years.
In 1915, Mitchell published A Guide to Ballroom Dancing. In 1919, Mitchell's wife died. A key part of his business life, the loss of his wife led to the immediate cessation of his teaching in schools. By 1924, he had retired from teaching altogether. Mitchell died in 1932 and bequeathed his entire professional library of dance textbooks, notebooks and ephemera to Aberdeen City Libraries.
Our Treasure showcases some of the items from this collection. Patricia Ballantyne produced a thesis on the development of Scottish dance, utilising much of the Cosmo Mitchell collection. Her thesis Regulation and Reaction is available to view in the Information Centre. It is largely due to her research that we are able to explore the life of this little-known local celebrity.
Find out about the marketing ploys adopted by Mitchell, and the origins of his middle name, in the Treasures from our Collections interactive exhibition on the touchscreens in Central, Airyhall, Tillydrone and Mastrick libraries. Treasure 80: The Great Wizard of the North's Hand-Book of Natural Magic by John Henry Anderson
291 Ninety years since the Aberdeen Magical Society was founded, we feature a rare edition of the Hand-book of Natural Magic written and published by the famous 'Wizard of the North', John Henry Anderson, one of the best magicians of the 19th Century.
The book reveals 128 experiments "adapted for performance at the parlour or drawing-room table or fire-side? practicable without expensive chemical or mechanical apparatus".
The book features tricks such as The Conjuror's Table, The Gun Trick, and The Self-Balancing Pail, in addition to a number of card tricks and ruses.
For nearly forty years of his life, John Henry Anderson baffled appreciative audiences with his popular performances, which often featured advanced and intricate props. The 'Wizard of the North' travelled around the world delighting audiences in many countries, including Australia and America.
John Henry Anderson died in February 1874 and was buried alongside his mother Mary Robertson, in Mither Kirk graveyard in Aberdeen. He had many imitators and the great Houdini himself said he was one of his mentors. Houdini paid his respects to John Henry Anderson when he visited the Granite City in 1909.
In 1930, the Aberdeen Magical Society arranged to have the gravestone of Professor Anderson restored "as a mark of respect to this past-master in the art of conjuring entertainment" (Press and Journal, 8 August 1930).
Explore the life and work of the great wizard, and find out more about Aberdeen Magical Society in our interactive exhibition on the touchscreens in Central, Airyhall, Tillydrone and Mastrick libraries. |