Poems and Songs, Descriptive and Satirical by John Barr
Published in 1861 by W. P. Nimmo, 2 St David Street, Edinburgh
Printed by John Greig and Son
Bound in original publisher’s cloth with decorative blind stamping and gilt-lettered spine.
This is an extremely rare 1861 first edition of Poems and Songs by John Barr, a Scottish-born poet (1809–1889) who emigrated to Otago, New Zealand in 1852. Barr was the founder of the New Zealand Robert Burns Society and remains a significant literary figure in New Zealand’s early colonial culture.
The preface, dated November 26, 1860 and signed from South Craigilee, Otago, details Barr’s personal journey from industrial Scotland to pioneering New Zealand. His poetry reflects the toil, resilience, and settler spirit of his time. Many verses were written while clearing land with an axe or by candlelight after long days’ work, offering an authentic voice of 19th-century colonial life.
Binding Condition
Original textured cloth boards with decorative stamping and gilt spine title.
Wear consistent with age: discoloration, corner bumping, splits at spine ends, and a split along the rear hinge.
Structurally sound and securely bound.
Internal Condition
All 254 pages are present, with no missing or loose leaves.
Pages show light tanning with occasional small or light marks, but nothing obscures the text.
The page edges are roughly cut and uneven, a result of 19th-century binding practices. Leaves were likely uncut at publication and later severed by hand with a penknife.
This process has left numerous edge tears and small rips, all period-authentic and none impacting readability.
Occasional minor creases or folds, but overall, pages are in neat condition.
Light cracks to the gutter in a few places, but binding remains strong.
No pen or pencil marks internally.
A beautiful and rare survivor in good condition for its age, but please review all photographs carefully as they form part of the condition assessment.
Measurements: approx. 17.6 cm x 11.2 cm x 2.2 cm
Weight: approx. 275 grams