BUCHANAN, Robert. ~ North Coast and other Poems. London: [Dalziel Brothers for] George Routledge, 1868.
4to, pp. xiv, 250, [6], numerous wood engravings. Publisher’s green and red cloth stamped in gilt and blind to a celtic design, binder’s ticket (Leighton). Spine ends just rolled, very minor rubbing to corners.
First edition. A splendid Victorian gift book with wood engravings by the Dalziel brothers and a striking Celtic binding design. ‘This unsigned cloth binding is one of the most elaborate designs of the period. The calligraphic writing recalls Celtic models, although it also refers to the Viking art of the north-east of England. Buchanan’s glum poetry bears little relation to the splendour of the binding, which acts as a hard sell for the book’s contents. To maximize sales, the binding was issued in several colours’ (Simon Cooke, Victorian Web). Not in King Victorian Decorated Trade Bindings (British Library & Oak Knoll, 2003) (a surprising omission for one of the most striking designs of the period).