Lot 141
Leyden, John - presentation copy from Sir Walter Scott to Lady Hood - fine binding
£650
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photography
Auction: 13 January 2016 at 11:00 GMT
Description
Scenes of infancy. Descriptive of Teviotdale. Edinburgh: James Ballantyne, 1803. First edition, 12mo, four page tipped-in poem in Lady Hood's hand, dark green crushed morocco by Birdsall and Son, Northampton, tooled in gilt with line panels and corner pieces, elaborate central gilt circular motif, gilt doublures over red watered silk endpapers, some foxing to rear endpapers
Footnote
Note: Inscribed by Sir Walter Scott to Lady Hood: "The Honble Lady Hood from [erased] with Mr Walter Scott's respectful compliments."
Scott and Lady Hood were known to be close friends, an acquaintance which begun following her return from the West Indies, where she met her husband. Scott and John Leyden were also acquainted, and Scott attempted to introduce him to Lady Hood, as Lady Hood was sailing to India in 1811, and Leyden was working in Calcutta. Unfortunately, Leyden died before the two could meet. In a letter, which Leyden never received, Scott wrote: "...she [Lady Hood] is a very intimate friend of Mrs Scott's and myself and first gained my heart by her admiration of The Scenes of Infancy."
Lady Hood's manuscript poem, "Written at Blair Atholl Jan 5 1808..." extolls the beauty of the Scottish Highlands, actively comparing the scenery to "a Scott's, a Leyden's or a Thomson's theme..." - Scott and Leyden had both written in similar ways about the Scottish Borders.
Scott and Lady Hood were known to be close friends, an acquaintance which begun following her return from the West Indies, where she met her husband. Scott and John Leyden were also acquainted, and Scott attempted to introduce him to Lady Hood, as Lady Hood was sailing to India in 1811, and Leyden was working in Calcutta. Unfortunately, Leyden died before the two could meet. In a letter, which Leyden never received, Scott wrote: "...she [Lady Hood] is a very intimate friend of Mrs Scott's and myself and first gained my heart by her admiration of The Scenes of Infancy."
Lady Hood's manuscript poem, "Written at Blair Atholl Jan 5 1808..." extolls the beauty of the Scottish Highlands, actively comparing the scenery to "a Scott's, a Leyden's or a Thomson's theme..." - Scott and Leyden had both written in similar ways about the Scottish Borders.
