The wandering piper..
Harland, Wiliam,-1833,former owner.StEdNL
Newcastle : Douglas and Kent, printers, 99, Side,
[1833]
Identity of the wandering piper is thought to have been Captain Alexander Graham Stuart de Vere, known simply as "Graham Stuart". He died in Dublin in 1839.
Broadside in a decorative border.
There are several contemporary accounts in provincial newspapers of the "wandering piper" who roamed throughout Britain and Ireland in the 1820s and 1830s. One story of which, from the Bury & Norwich Post, for November 21, 1832, describes him as follows: "He is a tall figure, and his air and carriage evidently indicate a rank superior to his occupation, in spite of the disguise of a carroty wig, a pair of green spectacles, and a shabby Highland costume. He has now piped in every market-town in the three kingdoms, except a few in Suffolk, Lincoln, York, Durham and Northumberland, all of which he must visit before next February. During his ramble he has given upwards of 700 l. [£] to different charities."
Accompanied by a manuscript letter signed by "Captain Stuart", a.k.a. the wandering piper. The verso of the broadside has the manuscript signature "Wm Harland in his 83rd year - 15 Jannary 1833.". Below that are two obituaries for Mr. Harland cut from the Nov. 22nd and Nov.29th, 1883 copies of the Durham Chronicle.
Stuart, Graham, wandering piper, -1839.
Northumbrian small pipe
Bagpipers
England Newcastle upon Tyne.