The collection consists of two sketchbooks by Scottish writer R. M. Ballantyne:
1. The first sketchbook is made of approximately 85 leaves, almost all of which bear original drawings (pencil, ink and ink-and wash), cartoons, sketches and preliminary ideas. Some arehighly finished images intended for a subsequently abandoned book of his fishing tripto Norway, as well as material for the published 'Freaks on the Fells'. On the firstblank is Ballantyne's presentation inscription to the sister-in-law Christina Alice. Thebook later formed part of Eric Quayle's celebrated collection and has his pencilledinscription on the verso of the front free endspaper.
2. The second sketchbook is entitled'A Walk from London to Edinburgh'and consists of a series of seven 4pp autograph letters signed by Ballantyne to his sister-in-law Christina Alice ("Teenie") describing the walk,mounted in an album with 19 highly accomplished watercolours showing himself enroute. Ballantyne's pencilled comments are on the rear of each watercolour. The date1864 appears in one. At front and rear mounted dried flowers and seaweed. Insidethe front cover is an autograph note by Eric Quayle ("for the story of this collection ofwatercolours and letters, read Ballantyne the Brave, 1967").