ID 992513
Lot 303 | McIAN, [Robert] R. (1803 – 1856) and James LOGAN (1797–1872)
Estimate value
£ 3 000 – 5 000
The Clans of the Scottish Highlands. London: Ackermann & Co. 1847.
Complete and remarkably clean copy, offering a romanticised view of the Highland Clans. First published in 1847 to coincide with the centenary of the Jacobite Rebellion, James Logan opens this illustrated anthology on the Scottish tribes with the accolade: ‘There is no more extraordinary spectacle in Europe than the Gaël of Scotland' (Introduction, vol. I). The illustrative plates, engraved after the works of Robert McIan, himself a member of the depicted Clan the MacDonalds of Glencoe, show each Clan member in their respective tartan, situated in the wild countryside of the Scottish Highlands. Dramatic in its depiction of scenery and with notably beautiful colouration to the array of striking tartans, it is no surprise that the volumes were beloved by Queen Victoria who was a regular visitor to Scotland having bought Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire. The popularity of the book also led to the production of a sequel suite of prints titled Gaelic Gatherings published the following year (see lot 304). Abby Life 426; Bobins II, 685; Colas 1892; Tooley 322.
Two volumes, folio (523 x 352mm). Lithographic dedication partially printed in gold, 2 chromolithographic frontispieces showing the arms of the clans and 72 chromolithographic plates, all finished by hand and heightened with gum arabic (very light offsetting onto letterpress at the beginning of vol. I, occasional very light finger soiling to margins, the plates themselves fresh and clean). Contemporary red morocco ornately decorated in gilt to spine covers and turn-ins, gilt edges (extremities rubbed, small chips to spines). Provenance: Hon. John Wayland Leslie (armorial bookplates) — James Gibb (inscription in black ink to front endpapers, dated Quebec 1862) — some minor corrections to text in pencil.
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Place of origin: | Northern Europe, Europe, United Kingdom |
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Auction house category: | Printed books |
Place of origin: | Northern Europe, Europe, United Kingdom |
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Auction house category: | Printed books |
Address of auction |
CHRISTIE'S 8 King Street, St. James's SW1Y 6QT London United Kingdom | |
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Preview |
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Phone | +44 (0)20 7839 9060 | |
Buyer Premium | see on Website | |
Conditions of purchase | Conditions of purchase |
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