GILSLAND POSTCARDS

These are the only postcards I have seen depicting (or not depicting!) Mumps Hall, which is strange as it has always been part of the Scott inheritance and is easy enough to photograph. Scott's bequest of eternal confusion over the various buildings and characters involved has led, and continues to lead, to numerous faux pas by hasty writers. RTFM!

Mumps Hall

Date posted: 16 May 1908

Stamp: KEVII halfpenny

Postmark: Alston

NGR: NY6

Publisher: Auty

My ref. 176

Even though this card is labelled "Mumps Hall" the building is almost invisible. For my interpretation see Mumps Hall

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Mumps Halll

Date posted: 24 June 1914

Stamp: KGV halfpenny

Postmark: Gilsland

NGR: NY6

Publisher: Gregg, Gilsland ref. 696

My ref.: 181

This photo does at least show Mumps Hall, but at a curiously oblique angle. In both these cards, the photographer has gone to some trouble to include both Mumps Hall and Merrilees Cottage.

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Date posted: unused

Stamp:

Postmark:

NGR: NY6

Publisher: Gregg ref. 695

My ref.: Courtesy Eliz. Woodmass

An important image, showing the original building, demolished in 1877, on the site of Merrilies Cottage. This would be the "hedge alehouse" described by Scott, to which he transferred the reputation of Mumps Hall. Meg Merrilies was not born here - see my Mumps Hall Characters page

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