The Red Paper On Scotland

Seymour, William Kean. FIRST CHILDERMAS.|THE, Greenock (Scotland) The Signet Press 1959
Limited to 350 numbered copies, including 300 in this binding. A short play following the tradition of plays for religious occasions but with a modern concern for motivation; here, Herod's murder of the Innocents. The title page illustration (in red), repeated on the front cover, is a redrawing of an "old woodcut" (unidentified). Scene designations printed in red. Designed, set and printed by Thomas Rae. Wrapper foxed.

large 8vo., sewn not to show, stiff paper wrappers. (ii), 37, (3) pages.

[KW: PRIVATE PRESS & FINE PRINTING, TWENTIETH CENTURY SCOTLAND SIGNET PRESS RELIGION]

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Seymour, William Kean. FIRST CHILDERMAS.|THE, Greenock (Scotland) The Signet Press 1959
Limited to 350 numbered copies, including 50 in this binding and signed by author. A short play following the tradition of plays for religious occasions but with a modern concern for motivation; here, Herod's murder of the Innocents. The title page illustration (in red), repeated on the front cover, is a redrawing of an "old woodcut" (unidentified). Scene designations printed in red. Designed, set and printed by Thomas Rae. Some soiling of covers, with irregular light browning on front.

large 8vo., paper-covered boards. (ii), 37, (3) pages.

[KW: PRIVATE PRESS & FINE PRINTING, TWENTIETH CENTURY SCOTLAND SIGNET PRESS RELIGION]

Details

(Morris, Peter): PETER'S LETTERS TO HIS KINFOLK, Edinburgh William Blackwell 1819
Three volumes. Third edition on title pages. Peter Morris is the pseudonym of John Gilbert Lockhart (1794-1854) contributor to Blackwell's Magazine, author and editor of numerous other works, and the son-in-law of Sir Walter Scott. He is best remembered as Scott's biographer. Books are a bit worn at the extremities, short splits in the front joints of volumes one and three, earlier bookseller's description of a similar book pasted on first blank which states "comprises interesting sketches of the principal literati of the day." A little scattered foxing and light soil.

8vo., contemporary half calf, marbled paper-covered boards, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled, heavily gilt spine with red leather spine labels. xxii, 337+(1); viii, 363+(1); ix, (i), 376 pages.

[KW: LETTERS-NIN SCOTLAND]

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Munro, Neil: John Splendid, New York Dodd, Mead 1899
Near Fine

8vo. Second American edition, the first being 1898. Decorative blue cloth with silver, red and black decoration, silver titles. Neil Munro (1863-1930) was born in the little town of Inveraray, Scotland near the head of Loch Fyne in Argyll, an area of exceptional beauty which was to influence him all his life. Both his mother and grandmother were native speakers of Gaelic and it is from them that the young Neil received his knowledge of the old language and culture.In addition to the journalistic writing he tried his hand at a thriller and also sent humorous sketches to the London paper The Globe, but he was to make his first real mark on the literary scene in 1896 with the publication of his completely innovative collection The Lost Pibroch and Other Sheiling Stories. These were soon followed after a serialisation in Blackwood's Magazine by the publication in book form of his first novel John Splendid (1898) - which could be argued to be the first truly authentic Highland novel. Like most of Munro's novels it is set in a period of major social change. It deals with the sack of Inveraray by Montrose and his subsequent victory at the battle of Inverlochy in 1645. It also explores the Highland character under stress, particularly in the persons of Gillesbeg Gruamach, the marquis of Argyll, who is anxious to move on from clan warfare to the more peaceful ways of commerce and the rule of law, and his clansman Iain Alainn, John Splendid himself, a swaggering miles gloriosus figure whose loyalty permits him to humour his chief and yield to his whims until, finally convinced of his cowardice, he rebels. [Thanks to the Neil Munro Society.] Near fine in decorative blue cloth. Second Edition Cloth 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall

[KW: SCOTTISH LITERATURE INVERARAY SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS]

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