The Minstrel by James Beattie – 1858 First Illustrated Edition Foster & Dalziel

First Illustrated Edition – with Thirty-Three Designs by Birket Foster. Engraved by the Brothers Dalziel
Published in 1858 by George Routledge & Co., Farringdon Street, London.
Printed by Richard Clay, Bread Street Hill, London.
 
Features
 
First Illustrated Edition (1858) with Myles Birket Foster’s designs, engraved by the Brothers Dalziel
Illustrated Frontispiece with tissue guard
Thirty-Three Engravings throughout
Original Publisher’s Binding: Dark green cloth, blind-stamped floral designs, gilt titles and decorations
All Edge Gilt (AEG) pages
Yellow pastedowns and endpapers
Binder’s stamp on rear pastedown
Pagination: vii + 90 pages with notes at rear
Dimensions: 20.4 cm x 15.3 cm x 1.5 cm
Weight: 397g
 
Historical & Bibliographic Context
 
James Beattie (1735–1803) first published The Minstrel; or, The Progress of Genius in two parts between 1771–1774, where it was celebrated for its romantic sensibility and moral philosophy. This 1858 Routledge edition is important as the first issue illustrated by Myles Birket Foster (1825–1899), one of the most beloved Victorian illustrators, with engravings executed by the master craftsmen The Brothers Dalziel.
The ornate cloth binding, gilt decoration, and use of all-edge gilt reflect mid-Victorian publishing aesthetics, when literary works were produced not only as texts but as decorative art objects. This edition holds particular significance for collectors of Victorian illustration, Routledge publications, Foster artwork, and Dalziel engravings.
 
Condition Report
 
Exterior
Dark green cloth binding with gilt titles and blind-stamped floral designs
Bright gilt on spine and cover titles
Water damage and staining to lower boards near spine, affecting appearance but not structural integrity
Light corner bumping and minor wear; binding remains robust
 
Interior
Pages lightly tanned with occasional foxing and light marks
Pastedowns and endpapers show creasing and light staining
Small rips to a few corners and a light rip to the inner margin of the front pastedown, none affecting text or plates
Very small amount of pencil to inner margin of page 88 (see photo)
All engravings present, including frontispiece
Binder’s stamp to rear pastedown
Pages tightly bound and overall neat for age
 
Summary
 
A desirable copy of the first illustrated edition (1858) of James Beattie’s The Minstrel, featuring the highly regarded illustrations of Birket Foster engraved by the Brothers Dalziel. While the covers show staining, the interior remains complete, tightly bound, and with all 33 engravings present. A significant example of Victorian illustrated poetry publishing.