“THE BEST-LAID SCHEMES O’ MICE AN’ MEN / GANG AFT AGLEY”

BURNS, Robert. The Works. Edinburgh: William Paterson, 1877. Six volumes. Royal octavo, contemporary three-quarter plum straight-grain morocco gilt, raised bands, marbled boards and endpapers, top edges gilt, uncut and partly unopened. $1650.

Beautiful illustrated set of the works of Scotland’s national poet, with engraved portraits, views, maps, and facsimiles of handwriting, six large volumes handsomely bound in contemporary morocco-gilt.

Includes all of Burns' beloved poems, songs, various prose pieces and correspondence. "No one even approaches Burns… in concentrated utterance of passion" (DNB). "As a poet Burns stands in the front rank… He is the poet of freedom as well as beauty" (Allibone I:303). Annotated throughout, with a "Glossary of Scots words" and index of first lines in Volume III, and a general index in Volume VI. Small booklabel of Lambton Castle in Volume I, seat of the Earl of Durham, in northern England.

Only a few traces of foxing. Fine condition. A handsome and desirable illustrated set.