The Glenriddell Manuscripts of Robert Burns, 1914 Limited Facsimile Edition (Inscribed)

Private facsimile edition, limited to 150 copies, of The Glenriddell Manuscripts of Robert Burns. Printed (not published) for Philadelphia industrialist and philanthropist John Gribbel by the Beck Engraving Company, also of Philadelphia, in 1914. According to the well-documented history, Gribbel purchased the Manuscripts—two volumes of poems and letters written by Burns under the auspices of his patron Robert Riddell—from the Liverpool Atheneum in 1913 and promptly donated them back to the people of Scotland, where they remain as one of the treasures in the National Library of Scotland. 2 volumes, quarto (volume I is 10.25” tall; volume II is 11.16” tall) bound in full leather with titles in gilt on morocco spine labels. The plates for the facsimile edition were destroyed after the limited run so no further copies could be produced.

Each of the volumes has a manuscript title, and in each is inserted an impression of the Beugo engraving of Burns. The volume of Letters is entirely in Burns' autograph; the Poems are partly in his and partly in that of an amanuensis.

Volume 1 comprises 195 pages and in addition to approximately 57 poems and songs contains an autobiographical letter from Burns to Dr. Moore, an introduction by Gribbel signed in holograph, the letter from the Scots Committee, a letter from the printer confirming destruction of the plates and negatives, a copy of the deed of trust, the Beugo engraving of Burns, and at the end a facsimile of the letter offering the manuscripts to the Liverpool Atheneum in 1853,

Volume 2 comprises 133 pages with approximately 27 letters written by Burns, along with a long introduction by Burns, regarded as among his best prose writing, plus the correspondence involving Gribbel present in the beginning of the first volume, and the Beugo engraving.

A presentation copy from Gribbel to Hampton Todd, Esq., a former Pennsylvania Attorney General who drew up the deed of trust, which was to contain ironclad provisions that the Manuscripts not be de-accessioned again. Both volumes with inscriptions to Todd dated April 16, 1915; volume I also includes a pasted-in and signed mimeograph letter thanking Todd for his efforts and friendship. Rubbing to leather boards and bumping to extremities, with a small chip to the lower right edge of the front board of volume II. Small 1.25” x .25” loss of leather to bottom of spine on volume I. Bindings solid, interiors clean and bright. Scarce, and a nice association copy.