An “exceedingly rare” 1817 Angus canal report by Robert Stevenson could fetch four figures at a local book fair.
A signed edition of a first edition 1958 book on King George VI with a signed inscription and letter from Princess Margaret is among the other historic gems on offer at the Glamis Book Fair on Saturday.
Stevenson was a Scottish civil engineer and famed designer and builder of lighthouses whose finest achievement was the Bell Rock lighthouse off the coast of Arbroath.
From 1811 onwards, Stevenson pursued a number of other projects besides lighthouses and maritime work.
There were several canal schemes (though none were executed, mainly on grounds of expense) and rail, road and bridge projects.
In 1817, Stevenson proposed a canal on one level between Edinburgh and Glasgow including a tunnel nearly 5km long beneath the Bathgate Hills with a connection to Leith that had locks.
He also proposed a canal in the Vale of Strathmore, almost 26km long, between Forfar and Arbroath, estimated at £88,378.
Organiser Hilary Farquharson said an “exceedingly rare” report on the Strathmore canal by Stevenson is expected to fetch four figures.
She said: “He was asked by the magistrates to conduct a study into the construction of a Strathmore canal able to provide a direct link from Forfar to Arbroath and be expanded to take in Brechin.
“At that time fuel was in short supply from the almost total failure of the peat-mosses in the area.
“The canal would have shipped coal, lime and stone from the coast creating an economic boom.
“The line of the proposed Strathmore or Forfarshire canal forms one of the outlets or great natural drains to the Vale of Strathmore.
“At that time there was talk of a cast iron railway instead of the canal which was much cheaper but it would come far short of the advantages of the canal in every other point.
“As usually happens today, it appears the cheapest option was the one chosen.”
Hilary said Saturday’s fair will feature antiquarian and second-hand books, maps, postcards, posters and other printed material for sale from a large selection of Scottish and English booksellers.
Expected to fetch £750 is a signed first edition of King George VI: His Life and Reign by John Wheeler-Bennet (Macmillan 1958).
The book comes with a signed presentation inscription from Princess Margaret to Doctor Lamb, minister of Crathie Church from 1937 to 1963.
There is also a two-sided letter from Princess Margaret to Dr Lamb dated October 21 1958 which begins: “Here is the book about my father that I promised you at Balmoral…”
The letter also complains about being back in “nasty, dirty old London…”
Hilary said a large selection of very early Scottish maps framed up ready for hanging will also be on sale.
A photo of “Clepington Quoits Club, Forfarshire League Champions for 1910” will also be on offer.
The fair takes place on Saturday, from 10am to 5pm, at Bridge View House, Glamis, which is the old Glamis Station.
Admission is £1.