1854 Rare Book - The Complete Works of Robert Burns, Poems, Illustrated

Author: Robert Burns. Illustrated by various artists.
Title: The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing His Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. With a New Life of the Poet and Notices, Critical and Biographical, by Allan Cunningham.
Publisher: Boston, Phillips, Sampson, and Company, 1854.
Language: Text in English.
Size: 10" x 7".
Pages: 542 pages.
Binding: Attractive and near fine exquisite full tan morocco leather binding by an unknown master binder, with raised bands, intricate floral tooling in dark brown on the boards, gilt title on spine and front cover ("Burns"), and ornate gilt dentelles (hinges fine) under a protective removable mylar cover. All edges gilt. 
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean, some light foxing mainly on the engraved frontispiece and illustrated title page and full page illustrations, as commonly found in mid-19th century paper - as shown, contemporary ownership inscription on preliminary blank - as shown).  A clean and well-preserved copy overall.
Illustrations: Elegantly illustrated throughout with finely detailed steel engravings, including frontispiece portrait of Burns, title vignette depicting his birthplace, and numerous other period illustrations. All plates complete and protected with tissue guards.

Estimate: (USD 350–500).

The book: This stunning 1854 Boston edition of The Complete Works of Robert Burns, edited by Allan Cunningham, captures the poetic soul of Scotland’s national bard in both content and presentation. Richly illustrated and elegantly bound, the volume compiles Burns’ poems, songs, and letters alongside critical and biographical commentary. The craftsmanship of this binding is particularly notable, elevating the book into a true collector’s object—more than just a literary classic, it is a Victorian-era tribute to the enduring power of Burns’ voice.

The author: Robert Burns (1759–1796), often called the Bard of Ayrshire, is celebrated as Scotland's national poet and a pioneer of the Romantic movement. Writing in both Scots and English, his works embody the voice of the Scottish people—witty, satirical, tender, and bold. Poems like Auld Lang Syne, Tam o' Shanter, and To a Mouse remain widely quoted and beloved.