“The Royal Landing”, a Coloured Lithograph by Currie, McKay and Kirkwood, Ingram Street, December 1849

In an advertisement, headed “The Royal Landing”, which is on page three of The Glasgow Herald, on Friday the 14th of December, 1849, Currie, McKay and Kirkwood, a firm of lithographers and engravers, announced that:

 

“From the very flattering criticisms of the Press, and encouraging Sale, the above Coloured Lithograph has met with, the Publishers have been induced to get up another Lot, which are now Ready.”

Prints cost seven-shillings-and-sixpence. Proofs were ten shillings. The firm’s address is given as 135 and 137 Ingram Street.

 

The advertisement includes the following:

 

“It may be noticed that the above Print has been approved of by the Queen – Copies having been forwarded when the Queen was at Balmoral, which Her Majesty was graciously pleased to accept and acknowledge.”

 

On the 24th of December, on page two of the Herald, is the following:

 

“Her Majesty’s Landing at Glasgow. – We have to acknowledge the receipt of an impression from stone of  the landing of her Majesty at the Broomielaw, executed by Messrs. Currie, Mackay, & Kirkwood, of this city. This beautifully coloured view gives a very faithful representation of the royal landing, and will form an agreeable memento to all who witnessed the auspicious event. The following is a copy of a letter received from her Majesty’s Secretary by the artists and publishers:-

“Buckingham Palace, Oct. 18 1849,

GENTLEMEN, – I am directed by Col. Phipps to acquaint you, that he has not failed to submit your Lithograph of her Majesty’s Landing in Glasgow to the Queen, and that her Majesty has been graciously pleased to accept it. – I am, Gentlemen, your obedient, WILBRAHAM TAYLOR.”

 

The directories for 1849-50, and 1850-51, give the firm’s address as 9 South Hanover Street.

The lithograph which was presented to Victoria is in the Royal Collection, and can be found on its website although there is no image of it. See www.rct.uk/collection   RCIN 750942.

The second name in the firm is spelt McKay, as well as Mackay, as can be seen in the newspapers and Royal Collection catalogue entry.