Gibson-Craig, James Thomas (1799 -1886)

James Thomson Gibson Craig, the antiquary, was the second son of Sir James Gibson Craig, 1st Baronet of Riccarton, and Anne, daughter of J. Thomson, of Edinburgh. His father took the additional name and arms of Craig in 1823 on inheriting the estate of Robert Craig of Riccarton. Educated at Edinburgh High School and Edinburgh University, James T. Gibson Craig was a Writer to the Signet, a friend of Sir Walter Scott and one of the original members of the Bannantyne Club. He married, 23 November 1841, Jane, second daughter of Sir John P. Grant, and widow of Colonel Pennington. They had no children. In 1882 he issued a volume of reproductions of bookbindings from his collection including bindings belonging to Mary Queen of Scots and Earl Bothwell. Only twenty five copies were printed, but the plates were included in the catalogue of the auction of his library, which took place at Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, in three parts, 27 June 1887, and 23 March and 15 November 1888.

Seat / Residence(s): Riccarton, Midlothian
Library Auction Details: Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge (27 June 1887), (23 March 1888), (15 November 1888.)
Stamp(s) Stamp Information
Gibson-Craig, James Thomas (1799 - 1886) (Stamp 1) Title: Gibson-Craig, James Thomas (1799 - 1886) (Stamp 1)
Crest: A pelican in her piety
Motto: Pandite cœlestes portæ
Dimensions (height x width): 20mm x 22mm
Heraldic Charges: pelican
Gibson-Craig, James Thomas (1799 - 1886) (Stamp 2) Title: Gibson-Craig, James Thomas (1799 - 1886) (Stamp 2)
Crest: A pelican in her piety
Motto: Pandite cœlestes portæ
Dimensions (height x width): 18mm x 18mm
Heraldic Charges: pelican
Gibson-Craig, James Thomas (1799 - 1886) (Stamp 3) Title: Gibson-Craig, James Thomas (1799 - 1886) (Stamp 3)
Arms: Three keys fessways in pale within a bordure vair (Gibson)
Crest: A pelican in her piety
Motto: Pandite cœlestes portæ
Helmet: Esquire
Dimensions (height x width): 47mm x 46mm
Heraldic Charges: bordure, Heraldic Charges: keys (3), Heraldic Charges: pelican