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LOT 204:
Poem by Walter Scott - magnificent edition with dozens of engravings - London 1809
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Sold for: $220
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200
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Poem by Walter Scott - magnificent edition with dozens of engravings - London 1809
The Lay of the Last Minstrel, a poem by Walter Scott, illustrated with engravings from the designs of Rich Westall. Songs of Knights and Nobility by Walter Scott. Published by John Sharpe, London 1809 - Magnificent edition with dozens of engravings of aristocratic scenes, based on illustrations by Richard Westall - including engravings in the body of the page, and secondary engravings pasted in the margins of the poem. Original thick leather binding with embossed golden decorations. Elevated leather straps at the corners of the cover. On the page next to the title page is an engraving of the author's portrait. English.
The poem was written by Scott in sequels and describes an occurrence in the 16th century. The story covers three days and three nights, and was first published in January 1805 in Edinburgh by Archibald Constable, immediately achieving unprecedented success selling thousands of copies. The second edition was released in October of that year in a limited edition of 1500 copies. In 1806 Scott added many additions to the poem, and from then until 1830 it was published in dozens of editions - before us is a magnificent edition published in London in 1809.
In the introduction to this edition, Scott writes that the poem is intended to illustrate to the reader the customs and manners that prevailed in England and Scotland in the past, and the combination of the pastoral atmosphere of these countries and the atmosphere of war, what the author calls "the chivalrous landscape". This ballad actually popularized the successive Scottish ballads of the 19th century, and it was translated into many languages, including French, Italian, German, and Spanish.
343, CXCVI p. 28 cm. Gilded page trimming. Thick and magnificent leather binding. Elevated ligaments with golden lettering. Slight stains on the title page and first pages. Overall Good Condition.
