[Four volumes of Scottish Dance Music] A Collection of Strathspey Reels etc.

Four separate volumes of Scottish dance music by the violinist and composer Niel Gow and his cellist friend Malcolm McDonald bound together in contemporary half calf over marbled boards. The binding is worn but sound; each imprint shows evidence of stab sewing close to the gutter. These are engraved throughout with clear plate marks to each leaf: *1. A Collection of Strathspey Reels... by Neil Gow, [1784] Edinburgh, Printed by the Author, and sold by Corri and Sutherland, [3] pp36 [1] *2. A Second Collection of Strathspey Reels... Dedicated by Permission to the Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Caledonian Hunt [1788] [red fox image to title page], Edinburgh, Corri and Sutherland, [2] pp36 [first and last leaves soiled] *3: A Third Collection of Strathspey Reels... Dedicated to the Marchioness of Tweeddale... [1792] Edinburgh... Nath Gow Baillie Fyfes Close, [2] pp4 [Subscriber’s Names] pp36 - lacking single leaf, p7-8 *4. Malcolm McDonald, A Second Collection of Strathspey Reels... Dedicated by Permission to the Earl of Breadalbane by Malcolm McDonald Corrected by Niel Gow, [1789] Edinburgh, Corri and Sutherland [3] pp13. A clean set of reels regarded by players of Scottish music as ‘the most essentially characteristic form’ of Scottish music. These printed versions coincide with a boom in the musical form and in the popularity of dancing itself in Scotland, with Niel Gow, his children and collaborators to the fore.