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Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect - Facsimile (From Photogravure Blocks) of the Kilmarnock edition 1786 - Robert Burns

1909 - D Brown & Co. [Printer], Kilmarnock - Facsimile of the 1786 edition
An exquisite and fine presentation of Burns’ ‘Poems’, bound in light brown crushed morocco with brown and tan morocco onlays depicting a harvest mouse in a wheat field (the ‘tim'rous beastie' of ‘To a Mouse’) and housed in matching light tan morocco clamshell case, lined in tartan. Bound by Falkirk Fraser Wilson while working for Tom Valentine (a noted Falkirk binder).

The binding houses the 1909 facsimile of the rare and celebrated "Kilmarnock Burns" of 1786, which was printed from photogravure blocks under the supervision of D. McNaught, Esq. J.P., editor of
The Burns Chronicle, the proofs being revised from an uncut copy in his possession.

In 1786 at the age of 27, although he had never published anything before, Burns (1759-96) decided to publish a volume of his poems. 612 copies were printed for him by John Wilson of Kilmarnock. They sold out within a month. There are estimated to be less than 70 complete ‘Kilmarnock’ copies in existence today. For this reason D. McNaught used his own uncut copy to produce this facsimile in 1909.

Burns, encouraged by this success, and by a letter from an Edinburgh minister, Dr. Blacklock, moved to Edinburgh instead of emigrating to Jamaica. He became a celebrity and in 1787 a new edition of 1500 copies, to be sold by subscription, was agreed upon with an additional 17 poems and five new songs. There was far greater demand than estimated, so the book was reset, and approximately 3,250 copies printed.
 
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Price HK$ 30,000



1804 - Printed by T. Bensley for W. Miller, London - First Edition
This remarkable folio work contains forty-eight engraved plates of Scottish Landscapes and buildings etched by James Fittler (appointed engraver to King George III) from drawings by John Claude Nattes, each one accompanied by a detailed historic description. In addition to the more well known locations of Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands, Nattes included places such as Aberdeen, Banff, Moray and Inverness.

In a contemporary binding, with additional engraved frontispiece, engraved title page, and engraved tailpiece.
 
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Price HK$ 14,000



Robertson of Irvine - Poet-Preacher - Arthur Guthrie

1890 - Ardrossan, London - Second Edition
A finely bound copy, illustrated with engraved frontispiece portrait and calotype plate of Trinity Church, Irvine from a photograph.

William Bruce Robertson (1820-86), Scottish divine, was born at Greenhill, St. Ninians, Stirling, 24 May, 1820, and was educated at the University of Glasgow and at the Secession Theological Hall, Edinburgh, where he made the acquaintance of Thomas de Quincey, and on his recommendation went to the University of Halle and studied under Friedrich Tholuck.

After travelling in Italy and Switzerland he was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Stirling and Falkirk in 1843, and was soon after ordained at the United Secession Church (after 1847, the United Presbyterian Church) in Irvine, Ayrshire. In this charge he remained for 35 years, exercising from his pulpit a truly magnetic influence.’
 
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Price HK$ 1,500



Poems and Fables - Robert Henryson

1933 - Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh - First Edition Thus
Finely bound definitive edition of the works of one of the most significant Scottish poets of the late medieval period.

Often referred to as the ‘Scottish Chaucer’, written in the Middle Scots language and demonstrating a mastery of various poetic forms, including the fable, pastoral elegy, and satire. Often blending humour and morality, reflecting the social and intellectual concerns of his time.

Published in 1933 to coincide with the founding of the Robert Henryson Society.

Illustrated with photographic plates of early manuscripts.
 
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Price HK$ 2,000



The Chronicles of Scotland. Published from Several Old Manuscripts - Robert Lindsay of Pitscottie, John Graham Dalyell (editor)

1814 - Printed by George Ramsay for Archibald Constable and Company, Edinburgh
An early and rare publication of Lindsay’s Historie and Chronicles of Scotland, the first history of Scotland to be composed in Scots rather than Latin, and first published in 1728. This edition was compiled by Dalyell from four different manuscripts, and even Dalyell says that ‘perhaps it is not inconsistent to admit, that [Lindsay] may have availed himself of the materials collected by his predecessors.’

The
Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Scotsmen gives Lindsay some credit, by stating that ‘the earnest and honest simplicity of the good old chronicler, however, is exceedingly amusing.’ But, they go on to say that ‘as to the Chronicles themselves, it is not perhaps very easy to determine in what language they should be spoken of. They present a strange compound of endless and aimless garrulity, simplicity, credulity, and graphic delineation; the latter, however, evidently the effect not of art or design, but of a total want of them. He describes events with all the circumstantiality of an eyewitness, and with all the prolixity of one who is determined to leave nothing untold, however trifling it may be. But his credulity, in particular, seems to have been boundless, and is remarkable even for the credulous age in which he lived. He appears to have believed, without question, every thing which was told him; and, believing it, has carefully recorded it.’ 
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Price HK$ 5,000



The Clans of the Scottish Highlands, Illustrated by Appropriate Figures, displaying their Dress, Tartans, Arms, Armorial Insignia, and Social Occupations, from Original Sketches by R. R. McIan. With accompanying Description and Historical Memoranda of Character, Mode of Life, &c. &c. - James Logan, R. R. McIan (illustrator)

1845-1847 - Ackermann and Co., Strand - First Folio Edition
First editions of the first illustrated encyclopaedia of traditional Scottish tartans. Scarce, massive and in the publisher’s original large folio bindings with the motto of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Nemo me impune lacessit to the ornate gilt covers. Housed in bespoke slipcases.

Containing seventy-two magnificent hand-coloured lithographic plates, and two colour chromolithograph titles with the coat of arms of the different Scottish clans. McIan and Logan’s extensive research into the clans was in response to Queen Victoria’s interest in her Scottish heritage, the final work being published to celebrate the centenary of the 1745 Jacobite Rising, one of the results being the 1746 Act of Proscription prohibiting the wearing of highland clothing, the second offence of which led to transportation (repealed in 1782).

McIan’s Clans is still considered the finest example of a large number of works on the subject.
 
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Price HK$ 85,000



Whisky Galore - Compton MacKenzie

1947 - Chatto and Windus, London - First Edition
A finely bound first edition of this whisky highlight.

Love makes the world go round? Not at all. Whisky makes it go round twice as fast

It's 1943, and the war has brought rationing to the Hebridean Islands of Great and Little Todday. When food is in short supply, it is bad enough, but when the whisky runs out, it looks like the end of the world. Morale is at rock bottom. George Campbell needs a wee dram to give him the courage to stand up to his mother and marry Catriona. The priest, the doctor, and, of course, the landlord at the inn are all having a very thin time of it. There's no conversation, no jollity, no fun, until a ship-wreck off the coast brings a piece of extraordinary good fortune.

‘The genre of Scotch whisky fiction is not an expansive one, and would barely make a credible Mastermind specialist subject, but one title stands out above all others in terms of its profile with both aficionados and the general public. That title is Whisky Galore’ – Gavin D. Smith,
Famous Whisky Drinkers, (ScotchWhisky.com).

‘Compton Mackenzie's timeless text is a triumph. Inspired by the real events of 1941, when a cargo ship ran aground in the channel between Eriskay and South Uist, Whisky Galore is the gentle, comical story of how the booty on board became appropriated by a group of Scottish islanders. ‘ -
100 Best Scottish Books of All Time, The List. 
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Price HK$ 4,500



The Life of Mansie Wauch, Tailor in Dalkeith, Written by Himself and edited by D. M. Moir - David Macbeth Moir, Charles Martin Hardie (illustrator)

1911 - T. N. Foulis, Edinburgh - First Edition illustrated by Hardie
A finely bound example of this significant work of Scottish literature, first published in 1818, humorous , satirical, a detailed depiction of everyday life in a small Scottish town.

Illustrated by Scottish artist Charles Martin Hardie, with sixteen tipped-in colour plates after oil paintings.

“A reflection on the life of Mansie Wauch, a Scottish tailor who recounts his experiences, adventures, and relationships about the small town in which he lives. Blending humour and poignant commentary on friendship and nostalgia. Written by David Macbeth Moir, a Scottish physician and writer.”
 
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Price HK$ 4,000



 
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