RAMSAY, Allan (1684-1758)

[Foulis Press] The gentle shepherd. A pastoral comedy

Glasgow: printed by A. Foulis, and sold by D. Allan, Dickson’s Closs, Edinburgh, also by J. Murray, No. 32. Fleet-Street, and C. Elliot, Strand, London, M.DCC LXXXVIII. [1788]. First Edition thus. First Illustrated Edition of this widely popular pastoral comedy in vernacular Scots, with glossary and evocative engravings by David Allan. Large 4to: [4,including half title],x,[2],111,[3],17(glossary),[1]pp, with portrait frontispiece, 12 numbered uncolored aquatints by David Allan, and 9 engraved leaves of music and words, numbered 1-18. Text based on quarto edition of 1728. Contemporary tree calf, neatly rebacked preserving original richly gilt flat spine and red morocco lettering piece gilt. An excellent very wide-margined in a well-preserved contemporary binding, plates in rich impressions, occasional spotting to text but generally clean and bright. Gaskell (Foulis) 688. Abbey (Life) 244. Rothschild 1732. Martin 216. Item #BB1572

The Foulis Press first published The Gentle Shepherd (which was originally published by, in 1725, in Edinborough, Glasgow, and London) in 1743, then again in 1745, 1747, 1750, and 1752, before issuing this handsomely illustrated edition in 1788. The play was first performed as a ballad opera in 1747, from which the supplemental eighteen pages of engraved songs were taken. David Allan (1744-1796), known as "the Scottish Hogarth, explains in the dedication, which prominently follows directly on the title page: "It will be easily seen that I am not a master in the mechanical part of this art: but my chief intention was not to offer expensive and smooth engravings, but expressive and characteristic designs." Thus the conscious naivety of his style echoes the simplicity of the country folk whom he depicts. His twelve plates were the first use in Scotland of aquatints for book illustration. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).

Price: $724.00