Friday’s Library Snapshot … Jessie M. King

During her life Jessie M. King (1875-1949) designed about 30 bookplates some for commission and others for gifts.
Most of her bookplates were made between 1902 and 1910. Since studying in Florence and being influenced by the paintings of Botticelli; she became a committee member of the  Glasgow Society of Artists and the a member of the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists.  Her first solo show was held at the Bruten Street Galleries in London in 1905 followed later by an exhibition at Annan’s Gallery in Glasgow 1907. Later when she married the artist and designer A.E. Taylor she gave up teaching and devoted her time to commissions and withdrew from Scotland.  

Further reading The bookplate journal Autumn 2012 and The illustrators 1800 – 1997

Images from The grey city of the north by Jessie M King.

‘During his last visit to Edinburgh in 1766-the visit which occasioned “Humphrey Clinker” – Smollet loved at his sister’s house at the head of St. John Street first door up. A person who recollects seeing him there describes him as dressed in black clothes, tall and extremely handsome. He was peevish on account of the ill health to which he had so long been a martyr.’ Traditions of Edinburgh.

The Cunzie House or Cunyue-Nook as it was called, was one of several Edinburgh mints, and was situated at the foot of Candlemaker Row on the west side.  All kinds of ancient Scottish coin were issued fro, this building from the lordly angel piece and the noble to the humble penny  and bawbee. It seems to have been in active operation about the middle of the 16th century.