The Book of Scottish Anecdote (1876) Humorous Social History by Alexander Hislop
Features
 
New and revised Victorian edition with Classified Index
Substantially expanded: over 250 anecdotes substituted
Covers humorous, social, legendary, and historical Scottish material
Attractive original green grained cloth binding with gilt and black decoration
Large, comprehensive volume of over 750 pages
Complete and firmly bound
 
Bibliographic Details
 
Title: The Book of Scottish Anecdote: Humorous, Social, Legendary, and Historical
Editor: Alexander Hislop
Edition: New and Revised Edition with Classified Index
Publisher: The Edinburgh Publishing Company, Edinburgh
Also issued by: Simpkin, Marshall, & Co., London
Printer: Commercial Printing Company, Edinburgh
Date: 1876
(Preface dated April 1874; Publisher’s Note dated June 1876 confirming this revised edition)
Pagination: viii + 759 pages
Dimensions: approx. 18.9 × 13.4 × 4.2 cm
Weight: approx. 652 g
Binding: Original publisher’s green grained cloth, gilt and black decoration
 
Exterior Condition
 
Bound in the original green grained cloth over boards and spine, with gilt and black decorative patterns to the front board and spine, and blind-stamped borders and emblem to the rear board.
 
The binding is intact, robust, and notably well-preserved for its age. Gilt remains bright.
Very light wear only, including small patches of rubbing at corners and edges and a few very minor surface marks. Overall, a very attractive Victorian cloth binding.
 
Interior Condition
 
Brown pastedowns and endpapers. Pages are very lightly tanned, clean, and predominantly uncreased.
 
There is an ink stamp and pen inscription to the front pastedown (“H. P. Fane”), with a little pencil to the front free endpaper and half title.
 
Only the very occasional tiny mark is present, not affecting text. A couple of pages show very small edge rips, and there is a small inner-margin rip to the back pastedown; all are minimal and unobtrusive.
 
Very light partial cracking between the front pastedown and free endpaper only; the text block remains tight and secure throughout.
 
All pages present and firmly bound.
 
About the Book
 
This substantial Victorian compilation brings together hundreds of Scottish anecdotes spanning humour, society, folklore, legend, and history. Designed both for entertainment and reference, this revised edition introduced a Classified Index, allowing readers to navigate themes and subjects with ease. The work reflects a strong 19th-century interest in national character, oral tradition, and social history, making it an engaging resource as well as a pleasurable fireside read.
 
About the Editor
 
Alexander Hislop was a Scottish editor and compiler known for assembling large-scale anecdotal and historical collections aimed at popular Victorian readerships.
 
Rarity & Market Context
 
While The Book of Scottish Anecdote is known in institutional holdings, complete, clean copies of this revised 19th-century edition in bright original cloth are increasingly uncommon. Many surviving examples show heavy wear or later rebinding. This copy stands out for its condition, completeness, and strong visual appeal, making it particularly suitable for collectors of Scottish history, folklore, or Victorian social literature.
 
Collector Notes
 
Correctly dated to 1876 based on the Publisher’s Note
Revised and expanded edition with Classified Index
Appealing example of decorative Victorian cloth binding
Large, comprehensive reference volume