In August 1996 Yvonne and Muriel spent two days with Mrs Bryson and her husband Ian at their home in Fenwick near Kilmarnock in the heart of Ayrshire. We were thrilled to have the chance to view the collection, and were then and remain most grateful to the Brysons for their invitation and gracious hospitality. Mrs Bryson spent hours talking us through the various sets of pieces, and each person made notes, which strangely did not always agree, even on objective matters such as sizes. Yvonne took the photographs, some slides, some prints, and typed up all the information on christening robes, the most important part of the collection. Personal factors delayed the completion of the task, but in spring and summer 2000 Muriel collated the notes, editing them in an attempt to achieve the maximum consistency and clarity. There may be errors of fact, judgement or interpretation, and any corrections or enlargements would be welcomed.