James Beattie — The Minstrel

London, George Routledge & Co. 1858. Cloth. A lovely copy of Beattie's poem The Minstrel; the first edition to be illustrated with designs by Birket Foster. An illustrated work in the publisher's original pictorial cloth binding, with blind-stamping and gilt decoration to the front board. All edges gilt. Binder's label of W. Bone & Son to the rear paste down. Prize bookplate to the front paste down from Mr. Oliphant's School in Edinburgh, dated 1868. The two books of The Minstrel by Scottish poet James Beattie (1735-1803), in one volume, with thirty-three detailed designs by the renowned Victorian illustrator Birket Foster (1825-1899), engraved by the Brothers Dalziel. In the publisher's original pictorial cloth binding. Externally smart, with shelf wear to the head and tail of the spine and to the extremities. Spine is slightly faded but boards remain bright. Front hinge is slightly strained but holding firm. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Very Good . Ill.: Birket Foster; Brothers Dalziel. Very Good .