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Partial Set, but complete topic, First Edition in book form. Hard cover, 12mo, ( 5 x 7 5/8 inches) Finely bound (unsigned, but presumed to be by Edinburgh binders Henderson and Bisset) in three-quarter calf, rolled in blind, with marbled paper-covered boards of teal, umber and gold, the spine with five raised bands, shilling-rolled, with onlaid red morocco title label gilt to second compartment and black author and volume designation to fourth, and the remaining compartments framed in neoclassical foliate borders, centering oblong aster-like flowers and a pattern of closed and open dots, some in threes. Top edge gilt. Two facing title pages. A contemporary news clipping portrait bust of the Author in character as the rugged but sage Scottish wit and philosopher of men, "Christopher North," is tipped in to a fly leaf of Volume I, probably taken from Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine. Printed at William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh. Each volume has the engraved bookplate of ANDREW CARNEGIE to the front pastedown. **CONDITION: Near Fine. Marks to bottom two compartments of spine near joint of Vol. III, as seen. Otherwise, fine. ** COLLATION: Vol. 1: (March 1825 - Jun 1827), xxiii, [4] 384pp. [4]. Vol. 2: (July 1827-May 1830) [4] xiv, 428 [4]pp. Vol.3:, (June1830-Nov. 1832 )[4], xiii, 382pp.,[4]. Vol.4 (May 1834- Feb. 1835) [4] xi, 368 with glossary of scots words and index, [4]. **CONTENTS: The "Nochtes Ambrosianae " is a series of comedic columns, done as pub conversations primarily between the fictional "Timothy Tickler" (J. G. Lockhart) and "Christopher North" (Prof. Wilson) but also including "The Shepherd" (James Hogg, aka the poet known as the Ettrick Shepherd), first appearing in the weekly "Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine" between March 1822 and February 1835. Later appearances at the table included "The Opium Eater," (Thomas de Quincey). As edited by John Wilson's son-in-law, the contents are particularly among the best of Wilson's contributions, and form the first four volumes of a larger 12-volume anthology of his works--see our number 8758 for the later "New Edition" ten volume set. **The convivial, semi-monthly editorial-meetings over oysters and ale at Ambrose's Tavern, a hostelry once located in Gabriels Road, Edinburgh, gave these columns, and later the books, their title, a story told in the Preface by Wilson's son-in-law, Prof. Ferrier. Ambrose would eventually relocate to Picardy Place near the head of Leith Walk. (read "The Blue Parlour") **The running heads highlight the contents, but the commentary includes trash-talking the Lake poets, lampooning the hunting set, complaints about rival publishing outfits, bemoaning the physical changes to the City of Edinburgh; generally speaking out about art, culture and the issues of the day over a pint. There is a smattering of poetry, and some informal scots dialect to warm the cockles of an ex-pat, making you feel like you are at the table with the lads.**While best known in America as the self-made Gilded Age iron, steel, and railway magnate, the OWNER of this set of books, ANDREW CARNEGIE (1834-1919), never forgot his modest roots as the son of a poor weaver from the Scottish burgh of Dunfermline in Fife. The family emigrated to the US in 1848. During his lifetime, he underwrote the cost of hundreds of public libraries across America, Britain and in the British Colonies. His charitable organization, the Carnegie Corporation in New York, continues these civic works today. One can picture Mr. Carnegie dipping into these books to remind himself of home. **The attribution of the BOOK BINDERS Henderson and Bisset is based on the similarity to another item in our stock [see our no. 9125] which also has the Carnegie bookplate provenance and is stamp signed. REFS: A. Strout, "Concerning the Noctes Ambrosianae," in Modern Language Notes, Vol LI, No. 51, Dec. 1936. The National Library of Scotland has "A specimen book of binders' tools, prepared for use in the firm of Henderson & Bisset of Edinburgh, about 1860. Bookbinders to the Queen from 1839 to 1892." (British Museum.) Part of the 12 volumes of OCLC 4163660. (4.54 lbs.)(AMJ)
Ref: FINE 9822
$750.00