Six manuscript bills and one letter from Edinburgh and Dumfries tradesmen, relating to the 1839 marriage in Buittle Parish of Janet, daughter of John Herries Maxwell of Munches, to William Maxwell of Carruchan.

Janet Maxwell married William Maxwell in Buittle Parish on 3 September 1839, and died three years later. The nine items, in good condition on lightly-aged paper, provide a fascinating insight into the requisites and cost of an early Victorian Scottish middle-class wedding, from the wedding 'pelisse' to the 'bride's cake'. ONE. Covering packet with manuscript note by J. H. Maxwell reading 'Vouchers | My Daughters marriage - clothes jewellery pocket money &c | 3d Sep 1839 | £439. 5. 4'. TWO. Autograph itemised account by J. H. Maxwell. 12mo, 1 p. Headed 'State of Expenses of entertainment &c on my daughters marriage | on 3d Sep 1839'. Listing seven items, dating from between 4 and 27 September, totalling £17 18s 0d. Including 'extra cook from Dumfries', 'extra House Servant J. Glover', 'Wallace for use of china & plate' and 'Aitchison & Sons confectioners; & fruiterers'. Docketed on reverse 'confectionary Fruit servants &c | £17 .. 18 .. 0 | 1839'. THREE. Itemised bill of the Misses Galloway, Macomish, Snodgrass & Co., 112 George Street, Edinburgh. 24 August 1839 [no show on Google]. 4to, 4 pp; on engraved letterhead. For £137 (discounted from £140 9s 6d). Headed by 'a handsome pelisse of rich violet reps, wadded and lined throughout silk, furnished satin & & &', £13; and 'a handsome morning dress & cape of rich brocade satinette lined throughout & hvg handsome fly fringe & founces', £12. FOUR. Itemised bill of T. & J. Blackwood, Haberdashers, Silk Mercers, & Linen Drapers, 43 George Street, Edinburgh. 22 July to 9 September 1839; on engraved letterhead. 4to, 2 pp. For £56 2s 6d. Items include 'a Mousline De Laine Dress' (£2 12s 6d), 'a Lace Veil' (£3 15s 0d), 'Kid Gloves' (£3 13s 6d), 'Long White Gloves', 'a Worked Collar'. FIVE. Itemised bill of Aitchison & Sons, 'Confectioners to Her Majesty for Scotland'. 31 August 1839. 12mo, 2 pp. For £12 3s 0d. Includes a total of five guineas for 'Bride's Cake Ornamented'. Other items include 'German Wafers', 'Christalized [sic] Fruit', 'Orange Chips', 'Italian Merinigles [sic]' and 'Coronation Tartlets'. SIX. Letter of Aitchison & Sons. 25 September 1839. 12mo, 1 p. They will 'draft on British Linen Company for Twelve Pounds Three shillings [...] which settles all you are due us to this date'. SEVEN. Itemised haberdashery bill of William Howat of Dumfries. 20 July to 31 August 1839. Folio, 2 pp. For £22 18s 11d. Includes 'White Woodstock', 'Camb Buttons' and 'Shirting Cloth'. EIGHT. Itemised bill of 'Howat'. Undated. 12mo, 1 p. Totalling £37 10s 8d. Includes 'Counterpain', 'Holland', 'Braces' and 'Satin Stock'. NINE. Itemised bill of J. E. & M. Halliday of Dumfries. 30 to 31 August 1839. For £16 14s 3d. Including 'Fine cashman flannel dressinggown lined Berlin fringe' and 'fine twilled cotton slip with handsome insertion trimming & lace'.