The inside front cover of this sketchbook contains one small and rough sketch, drawn with the book turned to the right near the outer edge of the page. It shows two figures carrying hand carts and is labelled ‘Guinea collectors’ in Turner’s hand. It is possible that these people are connected in some way to an event of the visit of George IV to Edinburgh in 1822; perhaps they are collection guineas for entry into an event, or the hire or sale of something.
1 However, seeing as this sketchbook was also used for non-Scottish subjects, the sketch may be unconnected.
The other inscriptions on this page are the endorsements of Turner’s executors. H.S. Trimmer has numbered the book ‘No. 311’, and noted its contents: ‘6 leaves in pencil’, before adding his signature. Beneath this is the signature of Charles Turner and the initials of Charles Lock Eastlake and John Prescott Knight. A.J. Finberg has inscribed in pencil and stamped in black ink the Turner Bequest number ‘CCI’.
Thomas Ardill
November 2008
