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According to the National Trust ...
According to the National Trust ...
According to the National Trust ...

According to the National Trust ...

Artist (Nassau, Bahamas, 1925 - 2006)
Recipient (Aberdeen, Scotland, 1939 - 2022)
Printer (founded 1961)
Date1987
Object NameCard
Mediumcard, ink
ClassificationsPrints
DimensionsPaper Size: 11 x 8cm
AcquisitionPresented in 2010 by Joyce Laing OBE.
Copyright© Estate of Ian Hamilton Finlay (2009)
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG017467
About MeCard designed by Ian Hamilton Finlay and printed by the Wild Hawthorn Press. It is addressed to Joyce Laing and was evidently posted in 1987, shortly after its creation. The card depicts a line drawing of an abbey accompanied by the following text: "ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL TRUST / The certifiable built the abbeys. / The sane built the tearooms." It purports to have been issued by the Committee for Public Safety, Little Sparta.

This work is part of an archive that belonged to Joyce Laing, OBE. The artist, Ian Hamilton Finlay, was a personal friend and sent her an example of each new poem print and multiple as it was made.