Mite Series in Tartan

Glasgow: Bryce, David, & Son, 1905. Five miniature volumes. (127); (127); (240); (384); (127)pp. The volumes included are: Golden Thoughts from Great Authors; Witty, Humorous, and Merry Thoughts; Robert Burns' Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect; The Smallest English Dictionary in the World; and Old English, Scotch, and Irish Songs. The five books fit into a wooden box, lacquered with a tartan pattern, that contains six compartments and a glass-paned lid. One compartment has a portrait of Robert Burns with a magnifying glass that fits over it. Surrounding the portrait are the title, Mite Series in Tartan, and the publisher's information. Bryce published this set with various combinations of books. All five volumes are bound in red roan wrappers gilt-stamped with the titles on the front covers. The dictionary shows some slight chipping to the front free endpaper and frontispiece page. The bottom of the box is slightly warped and the lacquer is chipped in spots. Only two institutional copies of the set are recorded, each with different combinations of books. An uncommon set in the desirable tartan box. (Bondy, pp. 72 & 113; Garbett, pp. 25-27). (1 by 3/4; 25x19mm).