Marmion. A Tale of Flodden Field

Scott, Walter, Sir

Published by Printed by J. Ballantyne and Co. for Archibald Constable and Co., Edinburgh; and William Miller, and John Murray, London, Edinburgh, 1808

About this Item

[10], 377, [1], cxxvi pp. 4to (26 cm). Second state of the first impression with cancels on three leaves (c1, B1, X3). One of 2000 copies issued. The poem concerns Lord Marmion who is after a favorite of Henry VIII, the wealthy heiress, Clara de Clare. He implicates her fiance, Sir Ralph De Wilton, in a treasonable plot, but eventually De Wilton has Marmion unmasked just as the battle of Flodden Field (one of the greatest disasters in Scottish history [1513]) begins. Marmion is killed in the battle while De Wilton regains his honor, estates, and Clara. The book was a tremendous success, despite its exceedingly high price, with at least three editions issued the same year. NCBEL III, 370. Ruff 59 (see pp.49-53). Front board very tender but threads still holding, joints rubbed, some minor rubbing along top edges and a few bands, otherwise a crisp, tight copy, gilt glowing, with some faint scattered foxing. A beautiful production. Full fine tooled pebbled calf, raised bands, gilt decorated compartments, outer gilt rules, elaborate inner dentelles, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt, sewn-in bookmark.

Seller Inventory # 26728

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Marmion. A Tale of Flodden Field
• Publisher: Printed by J. Ballantyne and Co. for Archibald Constable and Co., Edinburgh; and William Miller, and John Murray, London, Edinburgh
• Publication Date: 1808
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First edition, first impression.
• Seller catalogs:
  • Literature