WALTER SCOTT
MARMION; A TALE OF FLODDEN FIELD
Edinburgh, 1808 · Third Edition
Concealed Fore-Edge Painting of Dover Harbour
Period Full Red Morocco Leather · Gilt Decoration · Collated Complete
A handsome early edition of Walter Scott’s Marmion, distinguished by a finely detailed panoramic fore-edge painting of Dover Harbour, revealed when the leaves are fanned and concealed beneath the gilt edges when the volume is closed. Bound in richly decorated period red morocco, this copy combines an important work of Scottish Romantic literature with an engaging example of miniature maritime painting.
The Fore-Edge Painting
The painting presents a lively harbour panorama extending across the fanned edges of the text block. Groups of figures gather along the waterfront beside substantial buildings, while sailing vessels, their masts and rigging carefully delineated, occupy the harbour beyond. Pale cliffs and green rising ground frame the distant prospect beneath a clouded sky.
Small touches of red and blue animate the figures’ clothing, contrasting with the subdued tones of the architecture, water, and shoreline. The composition moves from the busy quayside foreground toward the distant coast, giving a convincing sense of depth within the unusually narrow painted surface.
A calligraphic manuscript notation reading “Dover” appears on a preliminary blank, identifying the subject of the view. The artist and date of the painting are unidentified; the publication date of 1808 applies to the book and does not establish when the painting was executed.
The Binding
Period full red straight-grain morocco leather, the covers framed by gilt rules enclosing an elegant border of scrolling foliage and flower heads. The smooth spine is divided into compartments by grouped gilt rules and scalloped ornament, with repeated floral sprays and “Scott’s Marmion” lettered directly in gilt.
Decorative gilt tooling continues along the inner turn-ins, framing blue-grey endpapers. All page edges are gilt, concealing the harbour scene when the book is closed. The bright red boards and delicate gold ornament give the volume considerable visual presence.
The Work
Scott’s historical romance in six cantos follows a story of ambition, deception, loyalty, and personal tragedy against the background of the campaign culminating in the Battle of Flodden in 1513. Its combination of narrative energy, historical imagination, and evocative landscape helped establish Scott’s reputation as one of the leading literary figures of his age.
This third edition appeared in 1808, the same year as the first, and belongs to the work’s earliest period of publication.
Bibliographical Details
Author: Walter Scott, Esq.
Title: Marmion; A Tale of Flodden Field.
Edition: Third edition.
Publication: Edinburgh: Printed by J. Ballantyne and Co., for Archibald Constable and Company, Edinburgh; and William Miller, Albemarle-Street, and John Murray, London, 1808.
Extent: One volume; collated and complete.
Dimensions: Approximately 8¾ × 5½ inches.
Binding: Period full red straight-grain morocco leather, gilt-decorated covers and spine, gilt inner turn-ins, blue-grey endpapers, and all edges gilt.
Special feature: Concealed panoramic fore-edge painting of Dover Harbour.
The half-title is retained, together with the printed dedication to Henry, Lord Montagu, the author’s introductory “Advertisement,” contents, and accompanying notes. An old manuscript ownership inscription appears on a preliminary blank, in addition to the separate “Dover” notation.
Condition
An attractive antiquarian copy with visible age and wear. The spine has faded to a warmer brown-red and shows rubbing and surface wear, particularly along the joints and at the head and foot. Board edges and corners are rubbed, with small abrasions and scattered marks to the covers, including a darker area toward the lower edge of the front board. Much of the gilt decoration remains bright and well defined.
Internally, scattered foxing, light age toning, occasional marks, and localized marginal discoloration are present. Preliminary blanks bear old ink inscriptions and pencil bookseller notations. The blue-grey endpapers show some spotting and discoloration.
The fore-edge painting remains clearly discernible when the leaves are fanned, with architectural details, ships, figures, and the coastal landscape readily visible. The natural divisions between the leaves are apparent through the painted image.
Collated and complete. Please review the photographs carefully, as they form part of the description and show the binding, interior, and concealed painting.
A distinctive copy of Scott’s celebrated verse romance, bringing together an elegant period morocco binding and a detailed hidden panorama of Dover’s maritime landscape.