< Back

Macaulay, Kenneth Rev. [Macpherson, John Dr.].
History of St. Kilda.
Publisher: T. Becket and P. A. De Hondt, London;
Date of Publication: 1764
Stock Code: 10565
FIRST EDITION. Octavo, pp., [8], 278, [2]. With an engraved folding map facing title-page and a final leaf of publisher’s advertisements at end. Bound in contemporary full dark calf with gilt fillet border; gilt rolled board-edges. Sympathetically rebacked some time ago; 5 raised spine bands with parallel gilt fillets, blind tulip spine ornaments to compartments and a red skiver spine label with gilt titles; edges stained bue; blue silk place-marker ribbon; later red marbled endpapers. Lightly worn to corners and spine-tips. Some mild toning and light foxing mainly to prelims. Late 18th/early 19th century ownership inscriptions of Charles Samson and John Dunoon to half-title and title-page respectively. A very good copy. Important topographical guide to the remotest, now uninhabited, island of the Hebrides. Samuel Johnson applauded the History of St. Kilda as “A pretty piece of topography”, and took a copy of the guide on his famous tour of the Hebrides, meeting with Macaulay to discuss the work. There is some contention surrounding the authorship of the work, with a theory, popularised by Johnson and James Boswell, that Dr John Macpherson of Skye had actually written the book working from the notes of Macaulay. £400.00