The Poems and Songs of Robert Burns 1759–1796 – Collins Tartan Cloth Edition in Original Box

An attractive vintage Collins edition of The Poems and Songs of Robert Burns 1759–1796, presenting the poetry and songs of Scotland’s celebrated national poet in a particularly appealing tartan-bound format. Published by Collins of London and Glasgow circa 1948, this compact hardcover is an appealing combination of Scottish literary history and decorative book production.

Poems and Songs of Robert Burns contains the poems and songs of Robert Burns, together with Homes and Haunts of Robert Burns by James MacKenna, an index to first lines, glossary and illustrations. Burns remains one of the defining figures of Scottish literature, celebrated for poetry that ranges from romance, humour and observations of ordinary life to political and social commentary.

This edition of Poems and Songs of Robert Burns is especially attractive for its traditional tartan cloth-covered boards, complemented by a gilt top edge and blue ribbon page marker. The tartan treatment gives the volume an unmistakably Scottish character and makes it equally appealing as a decorative book, Burns collectable or gift for a collector of Scottish literature. The original patterned presentation/storage box is also present, a worthwhile feature since these boxes are frequently separated from their books or discarded over the decades.

The front endpaper carries a contemporary handwritten presentation inscription reading “From Margaret, Christmas 1948”, providing a charming period association and supporting the circa-1948 dating of the edition. Poems and Songs of Robert Burns remains an appealing example of Collins’ mid-20th-century gift editions and would sit particularly well in a collection of Robert Burns, Scottish poetry, tartan bindings or vintage illustrated literature.

Condition – Good

The tartan cloth boards remain bright and attractive with relatively light signs of handling and age. The gilt top edge remains clearly visible and the original blue ribbon marker is present. Internally generally clean and well preserved, with a handwritten gift inscription to the front endpaper. There is a small area of surface loss/adhesion damage visible near the gutter adjoining the portrait frontispiece. The original patterned box is present but shows considerably more age-related wear, rubbing, staining and edge wear than the book itself, particularly around the labelled end.