The Description of the Isles of Orknay and Zetland. With Mapps of them, done from the accurat Observation of the most Learned who lived in these isles by Robert Monteith, Robert Sibbald - 1711

Edinburgh: Printed by Mr Andrew Symson; published by SRS MD, 1711 An extremely rare 1st edition copy with contemporary maps of Orkney and Shetland. The work is in 2 parts: the first being a description of Orkney 'From the MS of Robert Monteith Laird of Eglisha & Gairsa, dated Kirkwall Sept 24 1633'; and the second being a description of the Isles of Shetland. It is assumed that Robert Monteith authored both, with Sir Robert Sibbald subsequently collating and publishing the manuscript, adding the 2 maps. The first section is relatively brief while the second section includes much more detail on livestock, plants, farming, fishing and general ways of life. There are also references in the text dated 1652 and 1669, which suggest that Sibbald added his own words to a greater or lesser extent. This volume is in a newer half leather binding with leather title and date labels to spine and front board. There is some scuffing to the surface of the corners and the boards. It is clean and sound. Internally there is the bookplate of John Davie Manson Robertson, a noted Orcadian, to front and rear pastedowns. Contents: title page dated 1711 with a couple of pencil notes at the top; large folding map of Orkney (small tape repair to a fold edge); Orkney text pp 1-4; map of Zetland; Shetland text pp 1-42, small red ink star in top corner p10 and large black ink blot top outer corner p37 slightly affecting one word; finis. Contents generally very clean with varying degrees of toning to the paper.