The Poetical Works of Robert Burns; Volume XXXIV in The World?s Classics (1915 Hardcover, no Dust Jacket) ? Author: Robert Burns (1759-1796) ? Publisher: Humphrey Milford | Oxford University Press London, England UK 1915 Robert Burns (1759-1796) was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is still regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. He is the best known of the poets who have written in the Scots language, although much of his writing is in a ?light Scots dialect? of English, accessible to a reader of the English language. He also wrote in standard English, and in those writings his political or civil commentary is often quite blunt. He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic movement, and after his death became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism as well as a cultural icon in Scotland and to Scottish descendants around the globe. As well as creating original compositions, Burns also collected folk songs from across Scotland, often revising or adapting them into the form we know them today. Perhaps the most familiar of these is the New Year?s Eve standard ?Auld Lang Syne? (p577.) This compilation includes the preface to the 1786 Kilmarnock (1st ) Edition, dedication found in the 1787 Edinburgh (2nd ) Edition, Table of Contents, Author?s Notes, Glossary, and Index of First Lines. xxiii + 607pp. Hardcover has green embossed cloth boards with gold lettering and ornamentation on spine, but no DJ. Spine is starting to separate from covers, but is taped to covers and text to prevent loss. Carefully handled with square corners and sound gutters, this book has been read and studied. Contents appear complete but with markings in margins and circling of text that does not affect legibility. Ownership in front facing end papers. ? Size: 16mo ? over 5 - 6? tall, 630pp. ? Condition: Fair Hardcover without a Dust Jacket ? Ownership markings in end papers, always privately owned. Copy from 4th printing, of this The World Classics Humphrey Milford (Oxford) Edition. This edition was 1st published in 1903. This copy is from the 4th printing 1915. No ISBN, LCCN nor MSR. Notes on Condition/Edition ratings: Fine ? means like new, but any book produced over 10 years ago isn't ?brand new? or even ?new.? Using the same term as coin collectors, can?t guarantee it is uncirculated, but it looks very much like it could be. Booksellers needed some word to describe this... Like New ? A new book, no marks no damage (except maybe remainder marks or shelf-wear) except not obtained directly from the publisher or in packaging from the publisher. Same sort of thing about grading as Fine above except generally used for newer publication dates still in print. Good ? How someone else might take care of a book. Also referred to as ?standard.? This is the most likely condition for books of this age title, shows the book has been read or previously owned. Acceptable ? How a young child, student or a librarian might take care of a book. (Either trying to make sure someone doesn't steal it by plastering ownership everywhere, filled it with copious notes or a book that has been damaged.) Poor ? Combination of ?acceptable? factors above. Most likely with water damage as well. Might have missing pages (you should ask). Near ? Means ?almost? in an optimistic sense. e.g., ?Near Fine? means very good, but on the high end. 1st Thus ? Unique somehow, maybe 1st paperback, new illustrator, misprint or even the 1st edition. A collector might desire this copy. Thanks for looking!