"SHIELDS, SWORDS, DIRKS, POWDER HORNS, PISTOLS MUSKETS, AXES, BROOCHES, BAGPIPES…": WITH 54 FULL-PAGE FOLIO COLOR PLATES OF ANCIENT SCOTTISH WEAPONRY

DRUMMOND, James and ANDERSON, Joseph. Ancient Scottish Weapons. Edinburgh & London: George Waterston & Sons, 1881. Folio (13 by 16-1/2 inches), publisher's half brown morocco, top edge gilt, uncut. $4000.

Limited first edition, number 138 of only 500 copies, of "one of the most important guides to Highland armor, arms and equipment," with 54 rich full-page chromolithographs of Scottish weapons and implements.

This exhaustive account of "all the military relics that remain to us from ancient Scotland" is based upon the collection of Robert Glen, joint proprietor of a bagpipe-making business in Edinburgh in the late 19th century. "Without question, Drummond's Ancient Scottish Weapons is one of the most important guides to Highland armor, arms and equipment, shields, swords, dirks, powder horns, pistols, muskets, axes, brooches, bagpipes and other items of Highland dress. Many are pictured in detail, and thus are essential for the military historian, the artisan, or the costumer" (Unicorn Limited). Each plate is accompanied by leaf of descriptive letterpress. "It is the presence of these features which imparts intensity of local coloring and dramatic effect to the narrative of the historian, and inspires our imaginative literature with a national spirit." Bookplate.

Plates fine, inner hinges and text block with expert reinforcement, mild wear to publisher's binding.