Historic Harps.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 110, 13 May 1904, Page 4

Historic Harps.

GREAT SALE OF STUART AND JACOBITE RELICS.

There was dispersed by auction in Edinburgh the other week a family collection of Stuart and Jacobite relics of great historic interest and value. The early death of Mr J. N. Durrant-Steuart, the Twelth and last laird of Dalguise, in Perthshire, brought this unique collection to the hammer. Interest centred mainly on two ancient harps, one known as Queen Mary's harp, and the other as the Lamont or Caledonian harp. For the last twenty years they have reposed at the National Museum of Antiquities, and are well known to Scottish antiquaries. Tlie story of Queen Mary's harp is that during a hunting trip into the highlands of Perthshire, in the year 1563, she offered her own harp as a prize in a barbie conii>etition. It was awarded to Miss Beatrix Gurdyn, of Banchory. It closely resembles tho famous harp of Brian Boru, and a century ago it was stringed and was found to possess a sweet and delicate tone.

Competition for it was very kern. Mr Theodore Napier, the well-known Jacobite enthusiast, remained in thw bidding until £B4O was reached, and finally, at £892 10s, it was secured by the authorities of the Edinburgh Antiquarian Museum. The Lainont harp, which dates from the eleventh or twelth century, was sold at £525. A lock of hair from Prince Charles' head, and another from that of his wife, Princess Louise of Stohlberg, went for £33 12s. A sword which he had worn was sold for £7B. Highland dirks went at from £ll to £ls each, an Andrea I'crrara sword at £25, and two genuine old Highland targets at £SB 16s and £6O 18s.