Burns song and letter

This is the only complete manuscript of O saw ye my Maggie? written in Burns' hand. Scott has bound it into a printed volume of The Fornicators Court and inscribed Autograph of Burns on the back of the last page - possibly the only time that Scott's handwriting and Burns' have appeared together.  Information on how you can obtain a copy of this limited edition is available here.

At the end of the song Burns has added a spoof will bequeathing the copyright to Alexander Findlater, his friend and supervisor in the Excise Office. The will is appended in a large, sprawling hand, indicating perhaps that the two had spent a highly convivial evening together. Ironically, after Burns' death, Findlater was highly vocal in defending the poet against charges of drunkenness!

 

 

 

Burns song, page 1

 

 Click on the images to view in more detail.

 

Burns song, page 2

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