1801 – Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect by Robert Burns
Early Glasgow Edition • Full Calf Leather • Fold-Out Engraving of Burns's Birthplace
An evocative 1801 printing of the iconic Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect by Robert Burns, Scotland’s national bard. This early 19th-century edition includes pieces not contained in earlier printings, alongside a biography of the author and a publisher’s dedication. Lavishly bound in thick calf leather, this volume also contains a frontispiece engraving of Burns and a fold-out illustration of his birthplace.
Features & Contents
360 pages + xii (preface, dedication, life of author)
Full calf leather binding with tooled spine compartments and black title panel
Frontispiece engraving of Burns by Mackenzie
Fold-out engraved view of the cottage where Burns was born (Published by R. Chapman, Glasgow)
Includes a green ribbon marker
Printed in Glasgow and sold by Chapman and Lang, and in London by Vernor & Hood
About Robert Burns
Robert Burns (1759–1796)—known affectionately as Rabbie Burns or The Bard of Ayrshire—is the best-known poet to have written in the Scots dialect. The son of a farmer, Burns rose to literary fame with the first edition of his poems in 1786, transforming Scottish literature forever.
He was also a prolific collector and reinterpreter of Scottish folk songs, preserving a cultural tradition under threat during his time. His contributions to Scottish song and identity are celebrated worldwide, especially on Burns Night (January 25th), with traditional suppers, haggis, and recitations of his verse.
Despite achieving fame, Burns lived a short life—dying at only 37—yet his body of work continues to resonate across generations and borders.
Binding & Condition
Original calf boards are robust but show age-appropriate wear:
Bumping and small tears at corners
Rubbing and scuffs to boards and spine
Partial splits to joints at the hinges
Pages lightly tanned, with occasional darker patches and mild foxing
Fold-out engraving creased with small edge tears (see photos)
Some pages rough-cut, as typical of early 19th-century production; a few small holes from p.347 to rear, slightly affecting text but still legible
Minor tears to a few edges (not affecting text); slightly larger tear to edge of pp.229 and overleaf
Tightly bound overall with cracks at endpaper gutters; no missing pages
Small ink inscription dated 1802 on title page; otherwise unmarked by pen or pencil
Dimensions & Weight
18.3 cm × 11 cm × 2.9 cm
274 g
An evocative and collectible edition of Burns’s poetry—elegantly bound, richly illustrated, and complete—offering a tangible link to the enduring legacy of Scotland’s greatest poet.