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1863 Lays Of The Scottish Cavaliers by W.E. Aytoun Antique Literature Book
Lays Of The Scottish Cavaliers And Other Poems
By William Edmondstoune Aytoun
With Illustrations by Joseph Noel Paton and Waller H. Paton
Published by William Blackwood And Sons: Edinburgh 1863
In Original & Elaborate Gilt Decorated Bindings
Provenance: A Gift To Thomas Albion From R. Hepburn
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First issued in 1849, William Edmondstoune Aytoun's Lays of the Scottish Cavaliers became one of the most popular collections of Scottish historical verse published during the Victorian era. Written with vigorous narrative force and a strong Romantic attachment to Scotland's martial past, its celebrated ballads commemorate episodes of courage, loyalty, defeat and sacrifice drawn from several centuries of Scottish history.
Among the principal poems are "Edinburgh After Flodden," "The Execution of Montrose," "The Heart of the Bruce," "The Burial-March of Dundee," "The Widow of Glencoe" and "Charles Edward at Versailles." Aytoun combines historical incident with the traditions of the border ballad, presenting figures such as James IV, Montrose, Robert the Bruce and Bonnie Dundee through verse intended to evoke both patriotic feeling and the tragic cost of Scotland's political and military struggles.
Published by William Blackwood and Sons in 1863, this handsome illustrated edition includes the detailed work of noted Scottish artists Joseph Noel Paton and Waller Hugh Paton. It is presented in its original richly gilt-decorated red cloth binding, ornamented with Scottish heraldic devices, weapons and national emblems. The numerous engraved illustrations and decorative headings complement the medieval and Jacobite subjects of the poems and make this one of the most visually attractive nineteenth-century editions of Aytoun's enduring work.
Of particular interest is the contemporary presentation inscription on the front free endpaper: "Presented to Mr. Thomas Albion by his friend R. Hepburn." The identity of R. Hepburn has not been conclusively established, and no firm association with Captain John Stuart Hepburn's prominent Victorian pastoral family can presently be demonstrated; nevertheless, the inscription provides genuine nineteenth-century provenance and records an early personal presentation of the volume. This is an appealing association copy combining Scottish literary, artistic and heraldic interest with an intriguing, though presently unresolved, Australian provenance.
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General wear, rub through and fading to covers with some splitting to outer hinges as shown. Contemporary inscription present. A cluster or 2 sit slightly proud of the text block although nothing is loose. Pages are clean and beautifully presented with some light foxing to endpapers including title page as shown. A nice copy, complete in 268 pages and in good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
Size 25.5cm x 20cm x 4cm - 268 Pages + Publishers Advertising
