James Affleck
Affleck Slides.
When provenance of some tartans is mentioned, reference is sometimes made by the late Bill Jonnston to the "Affleck slides". Apparently this referred to a series of colour slides made by Dr. James Affleck (died August 1997) who was a Professor at Pittsburg University. Dr. Phil Smith designed a tartan for him in 1977 (#8392) which was woven at the time by Peter MacDonald in Comrie.
Bill Johnston apparently set great store by James Affleck but little is known of him. The whereabouts of the 'slides' are unknown and it's suspected that like so many such endeavours, their worth was probably unappreciated on their originator's death and they were 'trashed'.
James Affleck belonged to the Scottish Room Committee of the University of Pittsburgh and was encouraged to start an endowment for study in Scotland by his 'dear friend Frank Slater'. That award was still being given in 2007.
It's not known if we're talking of the same James Affleck but a genealogy forum entry notes: "James Affleck 850 Old Mill Road, Pittsburgh, 15238
A family member remembers him visiting them in Scotland when she was a child."
Another reference states: "Geologic Interpretation of Aerial Magnetic Surveys", James Affleck, Distinguished Lecturer, AAPG and SEG, Gulf Research, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania."
Any more information on James Affleck would be most welcome.