This is a very good example of a sailor’s valentine of the 1850s in the Stirling Smith collections. It is currently one of the objects highlighted for Black History Month.
Sailor’s valentines were made from tiny sea shells arranged in interesting patterns and encased in octagonal glazed boxes. Tradition has it that they were mainly purchased by sailors to be given to their loved ones when they arrived home from their voyage. Most of them were produced on the island of Barbados, and sold from a shop in McGregor Street, Bridgetown.
On account of Scottish interests in the sugar and slave trades, the West Indies and other Caribbean Islands have a great number of Scottish place names, and Scottish surnames are in the majority in the Jamaican telephone directory. As ‘exploitation islands’ not many manufactured goods came out of the Caribbean, and the sailor’s valentine is a rare exception. In spite of all of the Scottish interests there, the Caribbean is represented in the Smith collections by this and a packet of Jamaican chew stick toothpowder of the same date. Both were donated to the Smith in the 1930s.
The Smith’s first portrait by Sir Henry Raeburn, a bequest by the late Bruce Ritchie of Allan Park, was unveiled by the Right Honourable Sir George Reid. The event marked the end of the building contract to renew the roof of the Smith.
Sir George pointed out that the subject, Alexander Bonnar of Ratho, knew the difficulties of fund raising through his work for the Edinburgh Orphanage, a building which in later years became the Dean Gallery, and pointed out that Bruce Ritchie probably bequeathed the portrait for that reason.
Colin O’Brien, Chairman of the Smith Trustees said ‘We are delighted to welcome this new acquisition into the collection. Other great portrait painters, such as Sir Daniel McNee, John Graham Gilbert and Sir George Harvey are well represented in the Smith, and this work by Raeburn is now in good company.’
International Recognition for the Stirling Smith Collections
Whilst many Scottish Museums have participated in the National Recognition Scheme for museum collections, the Stirling Smith has been given the gift of international recognition.
For over a year, the Smith has worked in partnership with the Australian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions, based at the University of Western Australia.
Smith curator Michael McGinnes has been twice invited to speak in Australia, and this month, Professor Susan Broomhall from Perth, Australia, visits Stirling to present the fruits of a student project in the form of a series of six greetings cards featuring Smith objects. The objects have been researched by different students and the cards designed and presented in ways which will engage, intrigue and enlighten the recipient.
Colin O’Brien, Chairman of the Smith Trustees said;
“I am thrilled that students from the other side of the world have recognised the beauty and the significance of some of the objects in the Smith’s rich social history collections. I am sure that the publication of these lovely cards will lead to a greater appreciation of all that we have in the Stirling Smith.”
Some of the objects, like the six links of a chain from the healing pool of St. Fillan at Killin, have no intrinsic value. The thought of being chained up overnight, out of doors and in a remote place, as a cure for mental illness, is a chilling one. The card seeks to engage the emotions and senses of the reader and to lead them to a deeper appreciation of the social and historical value of museums and museum collections.
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The cards go on sale this week. For further details, contact