Writes of his uncertainty of their friendship, returning to life in London, parties, insufficient money to live in London (plans to come up to London to judge at the RHS, a few days a fortnight) Speaks of being happy and viewing this year as period of wonderful growth & realisation and refreshment. Enquires about Celia's re-constructions with Freud's representative, hopes he still remains present. ‘My happiness remains waterproof.’
Sem títuloSubject matter is mainly plants and trees - some of which are the negatives of the photographs used to produce the album Remarkable Trees of Ayrshire which is held in the RBGE Library – together with some images from Royal Arboricultural Society of Scotland annual summer excursions (1896-1902).
The collection also reflects other aspects of Paxton’s photographic interests: these included architectural studies, particularly of tower houses and other historical subjects, both in Scotland and during private travels to Worcestershire, Hampshire, Devon and the Chanel Islands; experiments with light; a fascination with capturing images of water in all its moods; and albums related to his membership of Talbot Circulating Album Club. It is also rich in portraits of family and friends and lively studies of their leisure pursuits.
Collection includes Paxton's bound photographs of 'Remarkable Trees in Ayrshire' presented to the RBGE in December 1894 at the request of Regius Keeper Isaac Bayley Balfour.
Some examples of his photography have been attached to this description. They are not to be reproduced without permission from RBGE.
Sem títuloflowering stems of different varieties arranged in an elaborate container with putto and horn
date and location unknown
row of trees, bare of leaves, with a bridge behind and a substantial house in the background
Paxton referred to this negative as ‘395’
Annick Lodge, Dreghorn, North Ayrshire
One of several negatives taken at this location, date unknown
detail of sprig with flowers and leaves
date and location unknown
a print from this negative is included as image 8 in a small album of prints of flowers GPX-0903
detail of tree trunk in growth
Paxton referred to this plate as 16
photographed at Underwoood House?, South Ayrshire
date unknown
specimen sprig of leaves and flowers photographed with scale
Paxton referred to this as 21
location and date unknown
the plate is edged with orange paper; envelope was marked 'Ash'
single tree by burn
Paxton referred to this negative as 6
date and location unknown
envelope marked '6-11'
6 boxes containing minute books, signature books, papers from various committees including finance, editorial and show, papers from various presidents and secretaries, papers relating to the Scottish Garden Tour, 1991 (6th International Rock Garden Plant Conference), Golden jubilee certificate and logo masters, Alpines Conference 1991, Scottish Horticultural medal, Archival cuttings, Exploration Fund, Jubilee Salver, papers relating to shows and awards, Diamond Jubilee 1993, questionnaires, membership papers, publication files and files on seed distribution.
Two cabinets of 35mm slides comprising 10 drawers full, the Davidson Slide Collection, were also donated in April 2017.
Journal Ephemera box comprises a selection of notices, accounts, show schedules, members lists and the first syllabus relating to the activities of the Scottish Rock Garden Club, dating between 1933 and 1999.
Plant labels found by members of the RBGE Horticulture Department and transferred to the Archives:
1: Magnolia acuminata, United States - found to the east of the copse, RBGE; a label intended to hang from the tree, this type of label had the impressed letters painted white by hand, then the entire label was hand painted black - would have been surrounded by a metal holder which has since decomposed - probably dates to around 1940?
2: Ilex laevigata; a temporary label found during excavations for the new Alpine House, 2012 - small label attached to wire which would have been pushed into the ground - probably dates to c.1960?
3: Viburnum dilatatum, c.1960? - temporary label from new Alpine House area.
4: Viburnum farreri - 'layers' - found in Nursery, troughs area - used when 'layering' viburnum - obtaining shoots from roots or branches.
5: Alpinia calcarata
6: Rhododendron hodgsonii
7: LA47