Morison Brothers

MESSRS. MORISON BROTHERS (successors to George Gallie & Son), Wholesale Stationers, Drawing Material Importers, Publishers & Booksellers, 99, Buchanan Street, Glasgow.

    In most modern commercial or industrial enterprises, as in certain professional vocations, specialism affords surer chances of conspicuous success than the general utility system, though, of course, it is not desirable to be too exclusive. It is upon these lines that the business of Messrs. Morison Brothers has been built up and is conducted. For though, from one point of view, their trading operations are comprehensive, they devote themselves more particularly to certain branches, in respect of which, therefore, they have become eminent. As wholesale stationers they have extensive connections, but as specialists they have gained a wide reputation by reason of the exceptional success with which they have cultivated art stationery and the trade in drawing materials.

    They have secured, for example, a very considerable trade as dealers in scenic photographs, and their establishment constitutes the leading emporium for the supply of views of picturesque Scotland. Their business being located in Glasgow, they naturally have a very large stock of local photos illustrative of the city’s characteristics and public buildings. From their establishment, therefore, are derived those pictorial souvenirs of Scotland which tourists value as reminiscences of their holiday experiences. The firm have sample albums in all the principal hotels and clubs, so that visitors can see beforehand what Messrs. Morison Brothers’ stock comprises and the style in which the photos are got up.

    Patriotically disposed as regards the artistic reproduction of Scotland’s picturesque beauties, the firm are equally so as regards Scottish national literature, for they make a speciality of Books of Scottish Songs, bound in all the clan tartans. These are exceedingly elegant and constitute most appropriate mementos; they are also in extensive demand as gift books. Music is the natural concomitant of lyrical poetry, so Messrs. Morison Brothers are consistently enterprising in supplementing art and poetry with music.

    This firm were the first to appreciate the value of the Sol-Fa system as an easy method of teaching music and inspiring a love for it, and they also, as publishers and booksellers, perceived its trade importance. The astuteness displayed by them has been duly rewarded, and they continue to be the leading firm for the issue of Sol-Fa music, which they supply to numerous schools, choirs, etc., throughout the country.

    Another important department of their business — perhaps the most important — is the supply of drawing materials for architects, draughtsmen, and designers, as well as for the general requirements of art — pictorial or technical. The extent of their trade in respect of these materials far transcends what might be imagined, and Messrs. Morison Brothers have become noted for the excellence and diversity of their wares. As sole agents in Scotland for Gustave Toiray’s combined copying and writing ink, they supply what ingeniously meets a long-felt want in commercial and other offices where the tendency of ordinary copying ink to blur, when used unwittingly for writing ink in books, has been found an aggravating defect.

    Educationalists formerly complained that the school and other maps in vogue in this country were very defective, compared, say, with those “made in Germany”. This reproach has been wiped out by the firm under notice, who have successfully introduced what is known as Morison’s Relief Terrestrial Globe, which gives a perfect representation in miniature of the actual configuration of the earth’s surface, with table lands, valleys, plains, river systems, and other physical features — also the principal ocean currents — clearly indicated. Moreover, in the case of mountains, their altitude in feet is given. The scrupulous care and elaborateness with which this globe is prepared will be understood when it is mentioned that the names of places, physical features, oceans and currents number about five thousand. The boundaries of the various countries and states are shown by different tints, so that, as an object lesson in geography, anything more complete or accurate could not be desired. Painted in colours and mounted on a polished ebonized stand, it is an attractive as well as a useful acquisition either in a study or in a schoolroom.

    The premises of Messrs. Morison Brothers in Buchanan Street comprise a large shop with double windows, in which there is an elegant display of books, photos, and other goods. The premises, which further include a warehouse and counting house, extend about 100 feet to the rear. The printing office is overhead, while below the warehouse are the stores and stock room. The workshops are likewise in Buchanan Street, but on the opposite side. With them there is telephonic communication, so that the inconvenience of a divided establishment is reduced to a minimum.

    The business was established so far back as 1822 by Mr. George Gallie, and was afterwards conducted under the designation of George Gallie and Son. Eventually, on a change of proprietary, it was conducted by Messrs. Morison Brothers, and the title of the firm then borne is still retained, though the sole principal now is Mr. John Morison, junior.

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