Archaeologia Scotica: or Transactions of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Vols I-V

Edinburgh : Printed for the Society, 1792 A very good complete set in 5 volumes, dated from 1792 to 1890 in matching nineteenth century half morocco with textured cloth bindings. Profusely illustrated and with a wide variety of important papers on the archaeology and history of Scotland. The bindings have 5 raised bands with 6 gilt decorative compartments of which 2 have title and volume details. They are all in very good to near fine clean condition with some light scuffing. Vol V has a slightly different paler textured cloth to the boards. Top page edges reddened. All have the decorative bookplate of David Murray to the front pastedown endpaper and Vol I has a couple of pasted catalogue entries for the work plus Murray's signature and an older note at the front endpapers. Contents: - Vol I: advert for the Society tipped in pre initial blank; title, contents listing 12pp; historical account by Smellie with statutes, membership details and errata list pp iii-xxxxiv; text 570pp with 7 plates of which 1 is folding. The contents are very clean with a small mark to the top of the title page; a stain to the foredge not affecting contents; some creasing to final leaf and the occasional spot or mark. Old pencil notes at pp 241, 292 and 307 and small tipped-in inserts at p 295 and 297. Vol II - 1822 - title, contents, direction to binder, Society issues xviii pp; text 512 pp + 32 pp (Appendix) with 19 plates - one folding - and folding table. There is offsetting from plates and some browning and spotting eg at endpapers, p 366/7. Final leaf has considerable marking. There is an old repair to the top of the title page and a leaf with loss to corner (no text loss). Tipped in insert at p179 and old scholarly annotation in ink at pp 252/3. Vol III - 1831 - title, contents pp vii; text 337 pp with 11 plates, directions to binder, and index to Vols I - III; title, ad 9pp; text 145pp; appendix title, contents and extract pp v-xxxi; membershiip matters 212pp. Some offsetting from plates and the odd mark or spot. Vol IV - 1857 - title, contents pp vii; illustration list; text 453 pp with 32 plates (numbered to 31 but a 17* plate) of which 16 are folding and 3 coloured - including a folding colour map and a folding colour battle plan. The plate at p 348 has a small tear at the bottom edge. Occasional browning and spotting. Vol V - 1890 - frontispiece, title, contents, illustration list pp xi; text 457 pp with index and 71 plates (70 listed but a plate 27*) and folding map - of the plates 2 are tinted and 4 coloured; appendix 79pp. Occasional spotting - including to plate 11 and at endpapers, but generally very clean. A very good set.