Reminiscences of The Monks of St Giles, Printed for Private Circulation, 1883-1891

Reminiscences of The Monks of St Giles (Founded 1852); Volume First. Various contributors from St Giles in Edinburgh.

A very good copy of this scarce volume from 'The Monks of St Giles', described as a 'quasi-literary club', which was founded in 1852. The verses contained within are from both 'Fathers' and 'Lay Brothers'. The foreword or "apology' was written in 1883, although presumably the publication could not have been until 1891, the latter dated mentioned on the title page. Scarce - only 20 copies in institutions worldwide, according to Worldcat.

The book is mainly comprised of verse on a wide range of subjects, with one musical composition in notation at the rear.

Printed for Private Circulation, 1883-1891. Presumed first edition.

A very good hardback with red leather spine and corners, with gilt decoration, with St Giles cathedral motif on front cover. Raised bands to spine and marbled paper over boards. Some wear to extremities and a little scuffed and discolored in places, but all soundly bound. Marbled endpapers.

Text is very good overall. There is spotting from pages 1-5, but text is generally bright and clean throughout, with the etchings in nice condition. Rough cut to lower edge and gilt to top. There is a frontispiece + 11 Plates. Although the contents lists a plate as being opposite p.82 and is described as 'Luffness Links', there is no plate at this position. However, we think this is the image now used as the frontispiece instead (there is no mention of a frontispiece in the list of illustrations), therefore we think all plates are included as called for.

A nice copy of a scarce publication.

Text in English.

vii + 2pp + 268pp + Frontispiece and etched Plates.

Dimensions: approx 204mm high x 153mm wide x 40mm deep.

Weight: approximately 900g (unpacked).