Unearthed: The embroidered Herbal of Bertha Anderson
Unearthed: The Power of Gardening is a free display at The Mitchell Library (2 May – 10 August 2025) exploring the transformative, enriching and sometimes radical power of gardening. Inspired by the British Library’s major exhibition, Glasgow Libraries is one of 30 library services celebrating gardening through the UK-wide Living Knowledge Network.
From windowsills to allotments, Unearthed: The Power of Gardening at The Mitchell Library explores how the act of gardening can heal and sustain people in a multitude of ways. It reveals how gardening can bring people together, empower communities and shape our relationship with the natural world.
As well as a specially designed travelling exhibition created by the British Library, our display will reflect the collections in the Mitchell Library, with some surprising stories behind the books!
This is the fourth in a series of blogs bringing together images and information from the exhibition - it explores the fascinating history of one book from the display.
Gerarde's Herbal
Gerarde’s Herbal, a popular gardening and herbal book, was first published in 1597, extending to a second and third edition.
The full title of this edition is The herball or Generall historie of plantes / Gathered by Iohn Gerarde of London Master in Chirurgerie very much enlarged and amended by Thomas Iohnson citizen and apothecarye of London (London: Printed by Adam Islip Ioice Norton and Richard Whitaker, 1633).
This particular copy of the book contains a page with names written with the pen of several owners, including two women named Mary Harris and Mary Wilson, who have used the common phrase "her book" to record their ownership.
Miss Longfield to Miss Bertha
The book was gifted to Robertha (Bertha) Anderson (1846 – 1918) by her friend Miss Longfield in 1898.
Pasted inside, there is a letter dated October 21, 1898, from a bookseller named William Downing to Miss Longfield, who had asked him to source it for her to give to her friend. She was a hard woman to find - William Downing wrote to her at Hotel d'Angleterre in Paris, but she had moved on before receiving it.
A second letter, pasted beside this one, explains the next owner of the book. It is is from Bertha's sister Marianna Anderson, to James Whitton (1850 – 1925), who was Director of Parks in Glasgow for over thirty years.
30th Dec 1918
Dear Mr Whitton,
In case I do not see you tomorrow I write this note. I know Miss Bertha would like you to have this Herbal, it is a very valuable book, and you will appreciate it. The cover was embroidered and designed by Miss Bertha herself, when Miss Longfield gave her the book in 1898, you will see Miss Bertha’s name in it. I have written your name, with the date of Miss Bertha’s death. Kindest remembrances to Mrs Whitton and wishing you both a very Happy New Year.
Yours truly,
Marianna Anderson
The Andersons of Barskimming House, Stair
This well-loved book has a beautifully embroidered cover, crafted by Robertha Anderson (1846 – 1918). Her sister Marianna was head of a household of seven sisters at Barskimming House in Stair. Their Census return in 1901 lists their occupations as “Pony Breaker, Gardener, Iron Worker and Leather Worker”, showing that alongside considerable wealth, the women had identities that were deeply involved with the running of their estate.
The Whittons
James Whitton's daughter Mary and granddaughter Jessie have also signed their names in the book, following the example of the previous owners.
After his death, Whitton bequeathed his library to the Parks Department, who donated it to the Mitchell Library in 1967, as part of the "Whitton Bequest".
The story of the ownership of books can be hard to track down, but this well used gardening book has left us some wonderful clues.
Read more
Check out the other blogs in this series:
Unearthed: Jane and John Loudon
Our exhibition is open in the Granville Street exhibition area from 2nd May - 10th August 2025.