PBA Galleries

viii, [9]-240 pp. (8vo) 8x4¾. 19th-century burgundy straight-grained morocco by Bradstreet with tooled gilt floral motifs at corners, spine gilt in 6 panels, blue morocco doublures, marbled free endpapers, top edge gilt. In felt-lined slipcase of brown morocco and marbled paper. First Edition.

Rare first issue of Burns' first and most important book of poems, published in an edition of only 612 copies. "Burns is not only the greatest Scots poet but one of the the great poets of any age and nation." (Printing and the Mind of Man p. 139). Thomas Jefferson McKee's copy with his bookplate to verso of front free endpaper and pencil note above referring to the "McKee Sale, Anderson's, May 12, 1906, part 6." Provenance: The library of George M. Bowles, San Francisco. Egerer 1; PMM 231.