THE SPAEWIFE; A TALE OF THE SCOTTISH CHRONICLES. By the Author of "Annals of the Parish," "Ringan Gilhaize," &c. Edinburgh: Published by Oliver & Boyd, Tweeddale-Court; and G. & W. B. Whittaker, Ave-Maria-Lane, London, 1823. 12mo, three volumes: pp. [1-4] [1] 2-312; [1-4] [1] 2-318 [319: printer's imprint] [320: blank]; [1-4] [1] 2-315 [316: printer's imprint], half title leaves present in each volume, early full calf, single gold rule border on front and rear panels, spine panels richly tooled in gold, black leather title pieces, red leather number pieces. First edition. Gothic novel, with supernaturalism, set during the time of James I of Scotland. Scottish novelist John Galt (1779-1839), a prolific writer who, in thirty-five years, published some sixty works of fiction, poetry, plays and nonfiction, as well as fugitive pieces. "Galt rated himself with Sir Walter Scott. In reality he never attained Scott's popularity, although his ANNALS OF THE PARISH has often been consulted as a source book of Scottish history. As the 'forerunner of the realistic movement in Scottish fiction,' he has an acknowledged place in literary history." - Kunitz and Haycraft (eds), British Authors of the Nineteenth Century, p. 239. Bleiler (1978), p. 79. Reginald 05739. Block, The English Novel 1740-1850, p. 81. Wolff 2402. Garside, Raven and Schöwerling 1823:35. NCBEL III 723. Formerly Sir Robert Peel's copy with his armorial bookplate affixed to the front paste-down of each volume. An attractive, very good copy with a distinguished provenance. (#138057).
Price: $850.00
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