Ivanhoe by Walter Scott c1887 Rosslyn Edition White and Allen
 
Ivanhoe By Sir Walter Scott
c.1887–1890 – The Rosslyn Edition by White And Allen
Antiquarian Quarter Leather & Paper-Bound Book
 
Bibliographic Details
 
Author: Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832)
Title: Ivanhoe
Edition: The Rosslyn Edition, part of The Waverley Novels
Publisher: White And Allen, New York, USA
Printer: M’Farlane and Erskine, Edinburgh
Date: c1887–1890 (verified by publisher history)
Format: Quarter leather over spine and joint edges, mottled paper boards
Pages: 472pp
Top Edge: Gilt
Endpapers: Patterned
Dimensions: Approx. 17.2 × 11.3 × 2.3 cm
Weight: Approx. 319g
 
Overview
 
Originally published in 1819, Ivanhoe was one of Sir Walter Scott’s most influential works and helped establish the popularity of the historical novel. Set in Medieval England shortly after the Norman Conquest, the story follows Wilfred of Ivanhoe and intertwines themes of chivalry, political tension, romance, and conflict between Saxons and Normans.
 
A beautifully produced late-Victorian antiquarian edition of Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott, issued as part of The Rosslyn Edition of the Waverley Novels. Published by White and Allen, New York, this edition dates securely to c1887-1890, the only years this publisher appears to have operated under that exact name.
 
Elegantly quarter-bound in leather with mottled paper boards, this edition includes gilt top edge, patterned endpapers, and high-quality Victorian production values. Numerous pages remain unopened (uncut), strongly indicating that the book has never been fully read.
 
A handsome and scarce example of a late-19th-century American printing of Scott’s historical fiction, attractively bound and well preserved.
 
Exterior Description
 
The binding is exceptionally attractive, featuring leather to the spine and the inner board edges, with a richly mottled yellow-and-brown paper over the boards (as shown in the photograph). The spine retains its panelled structure with gilt lettering, though the leather has naturally softened and darkened with age.
 
Additional exterior notes:
Strong, intact, and robust for its age
Wear present to the leather and paper along the edges of the spine and boards
Fading and small marks / light scratches to the spine and on the boards
Minor rubbing on the spine, board edges, and notably the top corner of the front board
Please refer to the photographs for confirmation of condition
 
Interior Description
 
The interior is clean and appealing for a book of over 130 years of age.
Light tanning consistent with age
Pages remain neat, and uncreased
Very occasional light foxing to pages and page edges
A few very small marks (none affecting text)
Slight rubbing to the inner edge of the front flyleaf
Some page edges show rough cuts from original uncut leaves being opened with a paper knife
Small, unobtrusive edge rips to several pages caused by this production method (none affecting text)
No pen or pencil writing inside, aside from the small rubbing noted
All 472 pages present, securely bound, with no loose or missing pages
 
This is a beautiful example of the Rosslyn Edition, showing its age with subtle charm while remaining structurally sound.
 
Condition Summary
 
A well-preserved late-19th-century Rosslyn Edition with strong binding, attractive leather-and-paper boards, lightly aged pages, minor expected wear, and clean interiors. A lovely addition for collectors of Sir Walter Scott or 19th-century antiquarian literature.
 
About the Author
 
Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832) was one of the most influential literary figures of the 19th century. His Waverley Novels defined the historical novel as a genre, blending rich storytelling with Scottish and British history. His works had a profound impact on literature and remain widely collected today.
 
Historical Note: The Rosslyn Edition
 
Rosslyn Editions of Scott’s works were known for their decorative bindings, durable materials, and accessible American distribution. These editions often used quality leather, mottled or marbled papers, and gilt edges, reflecting the Victorian taste for handsome bookshelf sets. Surviving examples in strong condition such as this are increasingly scarce.