A Trilogy of Epic Historic Poems - Marmion; The Lady of the Lake; Rokeby -
Sir Walter Scott
1808 - Archibald Constable & John Ballantyne, Edinburgh - Fourth, Twelfth, and Second Editions respectively
An early trilogy of three of Sir Walter Scott’s most popular epic historical poems, uniformly bound in contemporary tan tree-calf.
‘Marmion; A Tale of Flodden Field’ – ‘Marmion was Walter Scott’s second historical romance and one of his most popular epic poems. The chivalric tale of love, betrayal, loyalty and honour ends with the English victory over James IV of Scotland at the Battle of Flodden in 1513.’
‘The Lady of the Lake, A Poem’ – ‘Scott’s Highland poem concerning the struggle between King James V and the powerful clan Douglas. Composed of six cantos, and set in the Trossachs of the Scottish Highlands in the 16th century, it mines Gaelic history to retell a well-known legend of graceful, feudal heroine, Ellen Douglas, and the contest between three young men to win her love.
A huge critical and commercial success at the time of its first publication, breaking all records for the sale of poetry, and cementing Scott’s fame and reputation as a poet in both Britain and the United States.
‘Rokeby; A Poem’ – ‘After the monumental success of his Highland poem The Lady of the Lake (1810), for his next historical epic poem, Walter Scott moved the setting to England, perhaps to appease his increasing English readership. Set in County Durham during the English Civil Wars, in the immediate aftermath of the Parliamentary victory at the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644.’ Provenance: Contemporary but rather illegible signature to the title page of ‘Rokeby’.
References: Royal Collection Trust.
Three octavo volumes (binding size 22.3x14.4cm), pp. [10] 377 [1] cxxviii [2]; [10] 433 [3]; [10] 413 [3]. In contemporary full tan tree-calf bindings, black morocco title labels lettered in gilt, spines elaborately decorated with gilt motifs and borders, edges decorated in gilt, mottled page edges. Condition: Near fine, some light foxing and offsetting to first and last few pages, slightly heavier to rear of ‘Rokeby’, in very good bindings, rubbing to corners and spine ends, corners bumped, a few small scratches to boards. Ref: 112371 Price: HK$ 5,000
‘Marmion; A Tale of Flodden Field’ – ‘Marmion was Walter Scott’s second historical romance and one of his most popular epic poems. The chivalric tale of love, betrayal, loyalty and honour ends with the English victory over James IV of Scotland at the Battle of Flodden in 1513.’
‘The Lady of the Lake, A Poem’ – ‘Scott’s Highland poem concerning the struggle between King James V and the powerful clan Douglas. Composed of six cantos, and set in the Trossachs of the Scottish Highlands in the 16th century, it mines Gaelic history to retell a well-known legend of graceful, feudal heroine, Ellen Douglas, and the contest between three young men to win her love.
A huge critical and commercial success at the time of its first publication, breaking all records for the sale of poetry, and cementing Scott’s fame and reputation as a poet in both Britain and the United States.
‘Rokeby; A Poem’ – ‘After the monumental success of his Highland poem The Lady of the Lake (1810), for his next historical epic poem, Walter Scott moved the setting to England, perhaps to appease his increasing English readership. Set in County Durham during the English Civil Wars, in the immediate aftermath of the Parliamentary victory at the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644.’ Provenance: Contemporary but rather illegible signature to the title page of ‘Rokeby’.
References: Royal Collection Trust.
Three octavo volumes (binding size 22.3x14.4cm), pp. [10] 377 [1] cxxviii [2]; [10] 433 [3]; [10] 413 [3]. In contemporary full tan tree-calf bindings, black morocco title labels lettered in gilt, spines elaborately decorated with gilt motifs and borders, edges decorated in gilt, mottled page edges. Condition: Near fine, some light foxing and offsetting to first and last few pages, slightly heavier to rear of ‘Rokeby’, in very good bindings, rubbing to corners and spine ends, corners bumped, a few small scratches to boards. Ref: 112371 Price: HK$ 5,000