The Complete Works of Robert Burns Value Guide

This 1832 edition represents a vital piece of Scottish literary history, compiling the poetry, songs, and correspondence of the National Bard as curated by Dr. James Currie. Originally intended to support Burns' surviving family, this specific single-volume printing remains a cornerstone for collectors of Romantic-era literature and Scottish heritage.

What Is The Complete Works of Robert Burns Worth?

The typical price range for The Complete Works of Robert Burns is $45 - $50 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The physical condition of the leather and board covers, including any shelf wear or detached spines.
• The presence of foxing, water stains, or internal tearing on the paper pages.
• Completeness of the volume, ensuring no pages of the songs or letters have been removed.
• Provenance or previous ownership marks, such as period bookplates or handwritten inscriptions.

How to Identify The Complete Works of Robert Burns?

• Verify the title page specifically credits James Currie as the editor and lists the publication year as 1832.
• Check for the presence of both poetry and personal correspondence, a hallmark of the Currie compilations.
• Examine the binding for period-accurate leather or board materials consistent with early 19th-century United Kingdom publishing.
• Look for the inclusion of a biographical sketch of Burns, which was a standard feature of the Currie editions.

History of The Complete Works of Robert Burns

Following Robert Burns' death in 1796, Dr. James Currie edited a four-volume collection of his works to raise funds for the poet's widow and children. This 1832 single-volume edition remains a significant historical compilation of Burns' poetry, songs, and correspondence, which helped solidify his legacy as a central figure in the Romantic movement and Scottish culture.