Lays of the Scottish Cavaliers and Other Poems

Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood and Sons, 1863. Leather. Good. 10" by 7.5". Joseph Noel Paton; Walter Paton. An illustrated collection of Scottish poetry by William Edmondstoune Aytoun, previously owned by historian Reginald Baliol Brett Esher. A charming work of poetry and history, including notable poems on Scotland by William Edmondstoune Aytoun with corresponding historical narratives to give context to the poems. William Edmondstoune Aytoun was a Scottish poet, lawyer, and professor of rhetoric at the University of Edinburgh. He specialised in poetry, satire, translation, prose fiction, and literary criticism. He was a lifelong contributor to the Edinburgh literary periodical Blackwoods Magazine. Including sixty-nine in-text illustrations by Joseph Noel Paton and Walter Paton. Collated and complete. The personal copy of Reginald Baliol Brett, 2nd Viscount Esher, noted historian and liberal politician, with his bookplate to the front pastedown. Including a gift inscription from a friend to Esher on the front blank: 'To Reginald B. Brett, with all best wishes, from his affectionate friend, Edw. H. Osborn, Dec 11 1864'. Smartly bound in full morocco binding. Externally, sound, with some shelf wear and light rubbing to the spine, joints, and extremities. Binding is lifting to the tail of the spine. Bookplate of Reginald Baliol Brett Esher to the front pastedown, and ink gift inscription to the front blank. Internally, front hinge is strained, remaining binding is firm. Instances of light spotting to some pages, though many remain bright and clean. Good