Lot 207
Northumberland Poet - Story, Robert (1795-1860)
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photography
Auction: 31 August 2016 at 12:00 BST
Description
40 Autograph letters to William Dickson of Alnwick, discussing the publication of Story's Poetical Works in a lavish edition part funded by the Duke of Northumberland, 8vo, c. 150 pages, Audit Office, Somerset House, 1856-59
Footnote
Note: At one point hailed as a Northumberland Robbie Burns, Robert Story was born at Wark, Northumberland and published his first book of verse, The Harvest in 1816. He opened his own school at Gargrave in Yorkshire in 1820, & fell into debt. In 1857 the Duke of Northumberland subsidised an edition of Story's Poetical Works. The correspondence relates his early struggles as a provinical poet, the genesis of the publication and the business of printing and binding the book. William Dickson of Alnwick, was a solicitor, local historian and founder of the Alnwick & County Bank. Also present are eight letters from Messrs. Pigg to Dickson concerning the printing of the Poetical Works and a copy of Longman's advertising circular for the Poetical Works with many extracts of reviews in the press.