Books

London: Printed for A. Strahan, 1787. FIRST LONDON EDITION, 8vo, pp. xlviii, [13]-372 (as called for) + frontispiece. Gatherings A and M misfolded with leaves out of order. Contemporary half calf, marbled boards, spine divided by gilt rules, 2nd compartment lettered direct in gilt, edges sprinkled blue. Some spotting, particularly to frontispiece. Rubbed, boards rather stained, wear to extremities. Pencil ownership inscription of William St Clair to pastedown dated 1986. The first London printing of one of the landmarks of Scottish literature, preceded only by the Kilmarnock first edition, the Edinburgh second edition and an Irish piracy. This then represents the first time Burns’ work was printed in England, and the lengthy subscribers’ list testifies to its market there. ESTC T91546; Lamont 5.

This is one of the most famous collections of poetry by Robert Burns, which includes many of his most famous Scots verse and English-language poems.