An attractive fourth edition of A Voyage to St. Kilda by the Scottish writer Martin Martin, printed in London in 1753. One of the most important early accounts of Scotland's most remote inhabited island, this work provides a fascinating insight into the landscape, wildlife, customs and daily life of St. Kilda during the late seventeenth century.
Martin Martin (c.1660–1718), a native Gaelic speaker from Skye, visited St. Kilda in 1697 and produced what remains one of the most significant historical records of the isolated island community. His observations cover the islanders' way of life, religious customs, language, agriculture, fishing, bird hunting and the remarkable seabird colonies that sustained the population for centuries.
This copy is beautifully presented in a later full calf binding with a contrasting red morocco title label and marbled endpapers. It retains the folding engraved map of St. Kilda together with the engraved illustrations of the native seabirds. A particularly desirable eighteenth-century Scottish work, highly sought after by collectors of Hebridean history, Scottish travel, natural history and exploration.
Key Information
- Title: A Voyage to St. Kilda
- Author: Martin Martin
- Edition: Fourth Edition
- Published: 1753
- Publisher: Printed for Dan Browne
- Place of Publication: London
- Binding: Later full calf binding with red morocco title label
- Language: English
- Illustrations: Folding engraved map of St. Kilda and engraved bird plates
Condition Report
- Later full calf binding remains in very good, clean condition.
- Minor surface marks and light rubbing consistent with age.
- Contemporary-style red morocco spine label remains clear and attractive.
- Marbled endpapers are clean and vibrant.
- Folding engraved map is complete and folds neatly.
- Engraved bird plates remain crisp with good impressions.
- Internally clean with light age toning throughout.
- Page edges show expected age-related toning.
- A well-preserved example with a handsome later binding.