Two boxes containing bagpipe reeds

Cardboard boxes containing bagpipe reeds from the firm of R.G. Lawrie, Ltd, Bagpipe Manufacturer, 44 & 63 John Street, Glasgow, with a testimonial from William Ross, and Peter Henderson, 24 Renfrew Street, Glasgow.

R.G. Lawrie Ltd, 38 Renfield Street, Glasgow, were manufacturers of Highland bagpipes, reeds and accessories, including Highland dress and uniforms. The business was founded in the late 19th century by Robert Lawrie who then bought the Aberfeldy bagpipe making business of Gavin C MacDougall in 1913. Lawrie's advertising literature in the 1930s described the use of cocus wood from the West Indies, ebony from Gaboon and African blackwood, West African ivory for decorative mounts, sheepskin for pipe bags, and cane for reeds being produced at the rate of 50,000 annually.

Peter Henderson (1851-1903) came from Inverkeithing though his family was originally from Latheronwheel in Caithness. He took over the bagpipe-making shop in Glasgow of Robert MacKinnon who had earlier taken over the premises of Donald Macphee. Henderson had set up business in 1868, was himself a very good piper and became Pipe Major of the Glasgow Volunteers. His bagpipes have always had a very high reputation.

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