Description
The first issue of the first Edinburgh edition of Poems, Chiefly In The Scottish Dialect by Robert Burns. Octavo, xlviii, [9]-368pp. Contemporary full calf, title in gilt on spine over red morocco label, raised bands with decorative gilt compartments. Frontispiece portrait of Robert Burns, by Nasmuth and engraved by Buego. Half title: Poems, chiefly Scottish. Previous ownership bookplate affixed to front endpaper, antique booksellers description, ownership stamp on half title and title page. “Boxburgh” misspelling on xxxvii, “Addenda” subscription list on xlvi and “skinking” not “stinking” on 263. According to Egerer: “I am inclined to believe…that the “skinking” edition was the first printed.” This was deduced from a close comparison to the 1786 Kilmarnock edition, printed the previous year. (Egerer,2) An excellent example of the first publication from Robert Burns, in near fine condition.
Comments: This book was published by subscription, with 1,500 subscribers listed in the preface and a total of 3000 copies printed in the first edition. It was preceded by the 1786 edition, known as the Kilmarnock Edition, which is exceptionally scarce.
