L13408

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Lot 260
  • 260

Burns, Robert

Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Burns, Robert
  • Poems, chiefly in the Scottish Dialect. Edinburgh: for the author, 1787
  • paper
8vo, second (first Edinburgh) edition with 22 additional poems, misprint 'Boxburgh' for 'Roxburgh' on p. xxxvii in list of subscribers, corrected reading of 'skinking' (in "To a Haggis") on p.263, engraved portrait frontispiece bound before half-title, contemporary calf, red morocco label on spine, preserved in cloth case and matching quarter blue morocco slipcase, tiny tear with loss to upper margin of b1, offsetting and browning at beginning and end, some foxing, spine repaired, slight wear to edges

Provenance

Richard Shawe, of Casino House, Dulwich Hill, Surrey, armorial bookplate on upper paste-down; Edward B. King, bookplate on front endpaper

Literature

Egerer 2; Rothschild 556

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

The publisher of the first (Kilmarnock) edition John Wilson declined to print the second edition since Burns was unable to advance the £27 needed for enough paper to print a thousand copies. The immense number of subscribers (2876) eventually necessitated a run of 3000 copies which were printed by William Smellie of Edinburgh and published on 17 April 1787.