The Fortunes of Nigel by Walter Scott c1887 Rosslyn Edition White And Allen
 
The Fortunes of Nigel – Sir Walter Scott – c1887–1890 “Rosslyn Edition” – Quarter Leather & Mottled Paper Boards – Rare White & Allen, New York Edition
 
Overview
 
A beautifully produced late-Victorian antiquarian edition of The Fortunes of Nigel 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.
 
Bibliographic Details
 
Title: The Fortunes of Nigel
Author: Sir Walter Scott
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: 475pp
Top Edge: Gilt
Endpapers: Patterned
Dimensions: Approx. 17.2 × 11.3 × 2.2 cm
Weight: Approx. 326g
Dating Notes:
 
White and Allen were active only between 1887 and 1890 before reorganisation. No other imprint of theirs matches this binding or layout, firmly placing this edition in that window.
 
Exterior Condition
 
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 softened and darkened with age.
 
Additional notes:
Gentle fading to the spine
Light rubbing and wear to corners and edges
Minor wear to paper surfaces
Leather hinges intact
No structural looseness
Overall, a strong, solid and highly decorative Victorian binding.
 
Interior Condition
 
The interior is clean and appealing for a book of over 130 years of age.
Pages lightly tanned and well preserved
Predominantly clean, with only occasional small marks
Many unopened pages (uncut edges), a desirable sign of minimal use
Rough-cut edges resulting in tiny tears at page margins (not affecting text)
Pages 359–360 show a folded corner from excess paper during production
No inscriptions, no bookplates, no pencil or pen markings
Text block tight, with all 475 pages present and secure
A lovely, honest example of a Victorian literary volume preserved in original form.
 
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.