THE ROXBURGHE BALLADS (2 vols, 1873, 1874)

London: Reeves & Turner. 1st thus, (orig. eds 1560-1700) . quarter brown c./blue boards. Good-VG. 14 Cms x 22 .5 Cms. Vol.1: f/piece+xxviii (Intro.)+iv (Contents)+ii ('Temporary notice')+t.p. of 1774 edition+492, sm.engr.ills reproduced from originals throughout; 1881 gift inscription to fr.endpaper, book-plate centre fr.pastedown, tanning to fr.endpaper through to half-title, last page through to rear end-paper, slight gutter opening before t.p., but remains tight, eraseable pencilled note below title 'Printed between 1560 & 1700), otherwise internally clean, tight and unmakred, covers sound, some outer corner rubbing and afew minor marks to back, spine title tanned, sl. rubbed but covered with thin plastic veneer, the brown cloth spines to both vols are a rebacking but boards and title labels original; Vol.2: tanned t.p. (w.note as Vol.1)+iii+1774 t.p.+502, tanning flecks to endpapers and last page completely tanned, no f/piece but text ills as Vol.1, covers as Vol.1 but sp.label has stain across top r.h. corner and is unprotected. Spine labels give this set as 2 vols+price £1/15/-, however song titles are alphabetical and Vol.2 titles end at M., so presumably other 2 vols followed, 1774 t.p.s also give 2 vols.. From extensive Intro. and 'Temporary Notice' in Vol.1, it seems the original collection of broadsidess, many in black-letter,(named after the Duke of Roxburghe who completed it) contained nearly a 1000 (inc.some duplicates). but these only contain just under 150. Weighs over 2.1 kg so allow for additional postage especially for overseas sales.