Stray Rhymes by “Emerald Isle” (Duncan D. Hepburn), 1873
Very Rare, Private-Press Leather-Bound Edition
 
Book Description
1873 first edition privately printed variant titled Stray Rhymes by “Emerald Isle”. Presented "with the author’s compliments" to the editor of The Nottingham Journal, hand‑inscribed in pen on the front flyleaf (and annotated “First Edition” in pencil). Printed by Dunn and Fry, South Parade, Nottingham. All-edge sprinkled coloured pages, coloured endpapers and pastedowns. Bound in original black full leather, embossed border with gilt lettering on spine (“1873”). Boards are solid and well preserved with minimal wear.
 
Contains 52 pages in total; the poetry collection comprises references like “To Scotsmen”, “The South Notts. Yeomanry”, “Dr Livingstone” and others. Tight binding; no missing leaves.
 
Condition Report
Covers and spine housed in sound binding. Exterior shows a few light patches; overall remarkably clean. Inside, green endpapers and pastedowns; light foxing on front free endpaper and flyleaf. Otherwise, the pages are beautifully neat and clean for their age, with only the very occasional small mark. None of the 52 original pages are missing or loose. The binding is tightly held. Pages are uncreased and there are no tears. No annotation beyond inscription. Please view all photographs carefully as part of the description.
 
Author Background
Duncan Dewar Hepburn (1817–1902), Dental Surgeon and poet, born Edinburgh, resident in Nottingham in 1861 and 1871 censuses. Likely author of this privately issued volume: a rare instance of self-published 19th‑century verse. At the time of listing, no other copies of the 1873 Nottingham private issue located online, including library catalogues or sale records, making this edition essentially unique.
 
Rarity & Value
Extremely scarce private‑press edition, likely unique surviving copy. No comparable copies located. With author’s inscription and regional provenance, this is a significant and collectible volume for local literary history.
 
Measurements / Weight
Approx. 18.7 × 12.6 × 1 cm; 166 g