Books

First English edition, stated "third", preceded by the highly rare Kilmarnock edition of 1786 and the expanded edition published in Edinburgh earlier in 1787. This is an attractively bound copy of Burns's first published work, taller than most copies seen. Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect was the poet's most important work, containing many of his best-known poems, including "To a Louse" and "To a Mouse". Egerer suggests that this London edition appeared in November 1787. Included is a 24-page glossary, expanded for the Edinburgh edition from that included in the Kilmarnock, and reflecting Burns's burgeoning popularity beyond his native Scotland. Octavo (230 x 145 mm), pp. xlviii, 372. Early 20th-century green crushed morocco by Riviere & Son, spine with raised bands, compartments framed, decorated, and lettered in gilt, front cover bordered in gilt, board edges and inner dentelles gilt, top edge gilt, others untrimmed. Engraved frontispiece portrait by John Beugo after Alexander Nasmyth. Small bookseller's ticket to front pastedown. A little mottling to rear cover, occasional foxing to contents. A near-fine copy, handsomely bound. Egerer 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.