“SCENES OF INVETERATE HOSTILITIES, COMMENCED AND MAINTAINED WITH FURY”: BORDER ANTIQUITIES OF ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND, WITH 95 ENGRAVED PLATES AND INTRODUCTION BY WALTER SCOTT
(SCOTT, Walter) [MUDFORD, William]. The Border Antiquities of England and Scotland. London: Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, et al., 1814-17. Two volumes. Quarto, contemporary full straight-grain brown morocco skillfully rebacked with original elaborately gilt-decorated spines neatly laid down, gilt-decorated covers, raised bands, all edges gilt.
First edition of this picturesque survey of ruins and historical buildings along the border between England and Scotland, with introduction by (and numerous quotations from) Walter Scott, illustrated with 95 finely engraved plates, handsomely bound.
"Numerous castles left to moulder in massive ruins; fields where the memory of ancient battles still lives among the descendants of those by whom they were fought or witnessed; the very line of demarcation, which, separating the two countries, though no longer hostile, induces the inhabitants of each to cherish their separate traditions… This is peculiarly the case on the border of Scotland and England" (Introduction). Largely written by critic and novelist William Mudford, Border Antiquities frequently cites and quotes Walter Scott's work, "sometimes at considerable length" (Todd & Bowden, 304), in its descriptions of the castles, abbeys, bridges, walls, and monuments on the Scottish and English frontier. "Some indeterminate assistance by Scott was acclaimed by the publishers" (Todd & Bowden, 305). In Scott's lengthy introductory essay, he surveys the "strife" that, from the first century AD through the reign of Charles II, marked the "peaceful glens and hills" of his readers' day. Illustrated with 95 plates, including frontispieces and additional engraved vignette title pages in both volumes, engraved by J. Greig after paintings by Clennell and others. First printing, with 1806 (text) and 1811 (plate) watermarks observable. First published in 17 parts from June 1812 to September 1817; first book edition, 1817. Todd & Bowden 73Ab. CBEL (3d ed) IV:1028. Lowndes, 2227. Owner signature.
Light rubbing to edges, some color restoration to rear cover of Volume I. Occasional minor marginal foxing. An exceptionally good copy in nicely restored contemporary morocco-gilt.