Mansion of George, 1st Marquis of Huntly. Bakehouse Close, Canongate. 1848.

This original antique hand coloured steel engraving depicts the Mansion of George, 1st Marquis of Huntly, in Bakehouse Close, Canongate, Edinburgh — one of the most impressive and historically significant aristocratic townhouses ever to stand in the Old Town — drawn by Sir Daniel Wilson and engraved by William Forrest for his landmark work Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time, published in 1848.

George Gordon, 1st Marquis of Huntly (c.1562–1636), was one of the most powerful and colourful figures in late 16th and early 17th-century Scotland — a great Catholic magnate, sometime favourite of King James VI, and one of the dominant forces in the turbulent politics of the Scottish Reformation and Counter-Reformation.

His Edinburgh mansion in Bakehouse Close was one of the grandest aristocratic residences in the Canongate, reflecting the immense wealth and status of the Gordon family at the height of their power. Bakehouse Close itself — now home to the Scottish Poetry Library — is one of the best-preserved closes in the Canongate, and the remains of the Huntly mansion form one of its most architecturally distinguished features.

Wilson’s engraving captures the mansion with extraordinary detail, preserving a record of one of Scotland’s most historically significant aristocratic buildings. What makes this print exceptionally rare and desirable is its beautiful original hand colouring, which brings the ancient stonework and courtyard atmosphere of the close to vivid life. Hand coloured examples from this series are considerably scarcer than standard black and white impressions and are much sought after by collectors.

The thin paper of this print has separated from its original thicker backing sheet, though both elements remain present.

Subscript: Lower Left: D. Wilson. Lower Right: W. Forrest. Lower Center: Mansion of George, 1st Marquis of Huntly. Bakehouse Close. Canongate.

Author: Sir Daniel Wilson, F. R. S. S. A. (1816–1892)

Publication: Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time. By Daniel Wilson, F. S. S. A. Acting Secretary to the Society of the Antiquaries of Scotland.

Volume: 2

Publisher: Hugh Paton / Simpkin, Marshall, & Co.

Place of Publication: Adam Square, Edinburgh / London

Date: 1848

Artist: Sir Daniel Wilson, F. R. S. S. A. (1816–1892)

Engraver: William Forrest

Page Number: Between pages 76–77

Paper Dimensions: 12 ¼ x 9 ½ inches

Medium: Steel Engraving

Language: English

Coloured: Hand coloured

Condition: The print is in great condition with some minor wear around the print and some creasing across the surface, as can be seen. The print is on a thin paper which was originally adhered to a thicker paper for publication; however, the adhesive is no longer holding and the two sheets have separated — both papers are included.

Reference: Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time, HathiTrust Digital Library