Rare First Edition of Robert Burns’ Kilmarnock Goes on Display

Printed in Kilmarnock by John Wilson during the summer of 1786 and published on July 21, 1786, the first edition of Robert Burns' Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect known as the 'Kilmarnock' introduced readers to many of Robert Burns’ best-loved poems and songs.

Originally printed in a run of just over 600 copies, only around 90 copies are known to survive today. It will be on display at the Writers’ Museum in Edinburgh until August 31 to mark the 240th anniversary of its publication.

The volume on display is in a fine red leather binding created in the 1880s by London bookbinder Francis Bedford. Over the following decades it passed through the hands of several owners, principally in the United States, before eventually returning to Scotland and joining Burns expert and scholar Dr William Zachs’ collection at the Blackie House Library and Museum.

This copy contains an interesting inscription on its title page: “Helen Montgomerie From her Friend J.S.” which dates from around the time of publication. The initials ‘J.S’ may refer to Burns’ friend James Smith of Mauchline who bought 40 copies of the book on August 8, 1786 and was the inspiration for Burns’ poem To J.S. which appears in the volume. Alternatively, the inscription may refer to Jean Smith, James’ sister and one of Burns’ celebrated ‘Belles of Mauchline’. The identity of Helen Montgomerie remains a mystery.
 
"240 years on, the poems in Burns’ first publication remain not only a landmark in the history of Scottish literature but an enduring expression of creative genius," said Dr Zachs. "Seeing the original printing of such timeless pieces as The Cotter’s Saturday Night and To a Mouse brings us closer to the world and wonder of Scotland’s National Bard."

The Writer’s Museum will host a special event on August 28 from 2pm to 4pm, featuring live music and readings of Burns’ poetry.
The museum is free to visit and is open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm.