'Children's Book' in the autograph of Edith Louisa Henderson-Begg, wife of Rev. Canon William Henderson-Begg of Edinburgh, filled with information on the childhood of her three sons Robert John, Colin and Alec, with letters by them and photographs.

Author: 
Edith Louisa Henderson-Begg [née Cornish], wife of Rev. William Henderson-Begg (1877-1934), Rector of St Paul's and Canon of Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh [their sons Robert John, Colin and Alec]
Publication details: 
St Mary's Rectory, Edinburgh, Scotland. The notebook contains entries dating from January 1911 to June 1926.
£250.00
SKU: 12822

43pp., 12mo. Closely written in a ruled black cloth notebook, titled on first page 'CHILDREN'S BOOK'. Internally in good condition, on lightly-aged paper; torn scraps of paper adhering to the waxed cloth covers. Containing such information as date and time of birth, weight of child, name of doctor and 'nurse-housemaid', teething ('R. J.s first eye-tooth'), first walk, first words ('R. J. said ("I'm a pe-pe" - this probably only imitation; since called himself Baby). Additional words: Cup, Pidgy (= bird), Up, Bump, Doggie, Daddy.'), height, haircuts, meals, health, potty-training ('Difficulty with A. in not doing his "duty".'), school ('R. J. got through school session without a breakdown, but was about bottom of class exceptin Latin.'). With ten contemporary autograph letters and a card by the boys, a newspaper cutting (relating to a school day, with photograph of three boys in a sack race annotated by her) and four small black and white school photographs from the early 1920s loosely inserted. Five of the letters are addressed to Father Christmas, with the following undated one in capitals: 'Please do not come in "Father Xmas" for we have measles | Please put the toy's in the pillowcases out side. | Yours faith-fully | Alec and Colin. H. Begg.' Three of the other letters are addressed to 'Daddy' and two to 'Mummy'. Undated, but probably the latest item in the collection, is a letter to 'Darling Mother' from 'Alec', on letterhead of Trinity College, Glenalmond, Perthshire, apologising for 'being foolish' and declaring that he intends 'to try to live up to the reputation Mr Mosley has given me and be a sports man'.