Gift books on travel were books commonly bought to be given  around the holiday season or for birthdays. They contributed to the ways places were remembered and imagined. Often published in limited editions by private presses, they contained high quality illustrations, brief essays, short fiction, and poetry. Unlike guidebooks and travelogues, they did not offer travellers detailed itineraries, practical recommendations, or descriptions of popular tourist landmarks. In 19th century England, the market for gift books grew, driven by the increased literacy of a growing middle class and a widespread desire to explore the unknown. In effect, this genre of travel literature might be seen as the muse of the tourism industry, encouraging interest in foreign places. These volumes served as the perfect antidote to guidebook that told people where they must go and what they must see.  They were as much intended to be seen as to be read. 

The University of Guelph’s Archives and Special Collections is in the process of building its collection of Scottish souvenir and gift books.  The gift book and artist’s proofs here on display constitute a recent acquisition,  purchased in 2023. 

This case is dedicated to Colin McPhee (Feb 10, 2024 - Jan 11, 2025), the Scottish lynx who tragically lost his life in the Scottish Highlands earlier this year.