If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 424

Abbotsford, near Galashiels, Scotland

The three postcards shared this week are views of Abbotsford, the home of the historical novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott.  All three cards were among those sent by K & J.  The card above is a DRG [J. Arthur Dixon] printing with the code:  L6/SP. 3949.  No photographer is named.  It shows the house from the garden and dates from the 1960s.  

Abbotsford, near Melrose, Scotland

The second card in the group, shown above, is a Jarrold & Sons Ltd., Norwich has the code:  CKABFD 1 and also dates from the 1960s.  No photographer credits.

Located in the Scottish Borders on the bank of the River Tweed the house has a gothic and Scottish Baronial architectural style.  As the pictures show, the manor resembles a castle in miniature with towers and imitation battlements.  Originally the estate was a small farm of about 100 acres called Cartleyhole, nicknamed Clarty Hole.  Scott purchased the farm when the lease expired in 1811 and built a small villa that he named Abbotsford for a nearby ford over the river and the abbots of nearby Melrose Abbey.  Over time he continued to build additions to the house eventually turning it into a mansion.  Some of the stones used in constructing the mansion came from ruined castles and abbeys in Scotland.  He had a large library, a collection of ancient furniture, arms and armor plus other relics and curiosities pertaining to Scottish history.  

Abbotsford from the West, home of Sir Walter Scott

This third card is a “Hail Caledonia” product printed by Whiteholme Publishers Ltd, Dundee.  The code number is on the front of the card, 7526X.  No photographer is credited.  The view is from the West.

Scott wanted a historical feel to the house but he also desired all the comforts of modern living.  Early gas lighting and pneumatic bells were installed.  When his fortunes turned in 1825 and he found himself in debt he nearly lost the house to creditors.  In 1830 his creditors presented the library and museum to him as a free gift.  Upon Scott’s death in 1832 the house and contents went to his only son, Lt. Walter Scott, who died in on way from India in 1847 without ever living in the house.   The subsequent possessors were Scott’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  In 1847 his publisher, Robert Cadell, cancelled the remaining bond for a share in the copyright of Sir Walter’s works.

Sir Walter Scott was born 1771 and died 1832.  He married Charlotte Carpenter on Christmas Eve 1797 in St. Mary’s Church, Carlisle Cathedral.   A prolific historical writer, among his writings are the novels, Waverley, Rob Roy, Ivanhoe; and poems, The Lady of the Lake, The Field of Waterloo, The Bridal of Triermain, short stories and plays.

Thank you to K & J for sharing the cards.

For additional information, see:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Scott
https://en.wikikpedia.org/wiki/Abbotsford_House