"CONCENTRATED UTTERANCES OF PASSION": SECOND COLLECTED EDITION OF BURNS' POEMS

BURNS, Robert. The Works of Robert Burns; With an Account of His Life, and a Criticism on His Writings. To Which Are Prefixed, Some Observations on the Character and Condition of the Scottish Peasantry. London: T. Cadell and W. Davies, 1801. Four volumes. Octavo, contemporary full tan polished calf rebacked, raised bands, red and black morocco spine labels. $1200.

Second collected edition of Burns’ poetry, including his correspondence and a biographical memoir by editor James Currie, with engraved portrait of Burns by James Neagle after a painting by Alexander Nasmyth, 13 engraved illustrations and portraits.

"No one even approaches Burns… in concentrated utterance of passion" (DNB). This early set, edited by Liverpool physician James Currie in order to raise funds for Burns' family, brings together the hundreds of poems, ballads and songs by the beloved Scottish poet, as well as a selection of his correspondence and Currie's Life of Robert Burns. His poetical works, including the major poems "Tam o' Shanter" and "The Jolly Beggars," were first collected in 1800. Volume IV includes a glossary and title index. Gibson, 12. Lowndes, 326.

Interiors quite clean, a touch of rubbing to corners only. An attractive set of this early edition.