The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott, published by T. Nelson and Sons of Paternoster Row in 1849. It gathers Scott’s major narrative poems—such as The Lay of the Last Minstrel, Marmion, and The Lady of the Lake—along with his shorter pieces, and includes a brief memoir of the author. Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832), a Scottish historical novelist and poet, wrote most of these works during the Romantic era, when there was a renewed public enthusiasm for chivalric romance, medieval settings, and the folklore of Scotland. Scott’s poetry enjoyed immense popularity in his lifetime, blending vivid storytelling with a strong sense of place and heritage; he aimed to capture the drama and color of Scottish history and landscape, inspiring both patriotic pride and a broader fascination with the Romantic spirit.
A striking feature of this particular volume is its highly decorative binding, which uses a nature-inspired gilt design featuring ferns and ivy motifs on what appears to be polished calf or leather boards. This unusual “fern pattern” or “nature-printed” style was a specialty of certain Victorian binders who experimented with stenciling or transfer techniques to achieve an organic, embossed look. The spine itself is gilt-tooled in compartments, bearing the title “Scott’s Poetical Works,” and the all-edges-gilt finish adds to the book’s luxurious presentation. Such ornate bindings were popular among collectors and gift-givers in the latter half of the 19th century, reflecting a blend of aesthetic craftsmanship and reverence for classic literary works.
In essence, the book contains Scott’s most famous narrative poems and ballads, many of which helped define the public’s romanticized image of Scotland. An easy way to remember the collection is that it showcases Scott’s talent for weaving historical adventure, local legend, and lyrical beauty into verse—making these poems both entertaining stories and patriotic tributes to the landscapes and traditions of his homeland..
Condition:
The volume is in good overall condition. The decorative leather boards show only mild rubbing at the edges and corners, though some wear is evident around the spine extremities. The gilt fern-and-ivy design remains generally bright and distinct, with only minor fading in spots. Internally, the binding is sound, and while the pages exhibit light foxing—particularly near the frontispiece and title page—the text and illustrations are largely clean. Altogether, it stands as a charming and distinctive example of Victorian-era bookbinding, housing one of Scotland’s most celebrated literary legacies.
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