YOUNG, Robert M. Historical Notices of Old Belfast and its Vicinity. A selection from the Mss. collected by William Pinkerton, F.S.A. for his intended History of Belfast, additional documents, letters, and ballads, O’Mellan’s Narrative of the Wars of 1641, biography of Mary Ann M’Cracken, now first printed.

LIMITED TO 150 COPIES SIGNED DE LUXE EDITION WITH HAND-COLOURED PLATES

Belfast: Marcus Ward, 1896. Quarto. First edition. pp. xii, 288, [3 (list of subscribers), 12 (adverts) ]. Titlepage printed in red and black. Bound by Marcus Ward in crocodile skin pattern’ damask over bevelled boards, specially woven by William Ewart & Son of Belfast. Lettering in gilt and large medallion arms of Belfast in gilt on upper cover and spine. Limited Edition of 150 copies only [No 1 (small letter “a” following the numeral ?)], signed by Robert Young and hand-coloured by and apparently signed by J.W. Carey. Limitation label on front pastedown. Some minor light foxing to damask covers. In fine condition. Superb Marcus Ward production in slipcase. Red cloth over bevelled boards, title and arms of Belfast in gilt on upper cover and professionally rebacked spine. Previous owner’s signature on titlepage. A near fine copy.
Belfast view, double page map of Belfast Harbour; superb full-colour tissue guarded frontispiece of the City arms, eight additional plates in this rare limited edition, exquisitely hand-coloured by John and J.W. Carey. Photo-engraved by Joseph Lewis. Plates printed on Japanese vellum, all with tissue guards. Profusely illustrated through-out with full-page plates and in text illustrations. This special De luxe Edition features a large, double-page copper engraving of ‘A Celebrated Itinerant Hardware Merchant of the North of Ireland’, and a chromo-lithograph of an ancient gold collar (both of these extra to the ordinary edition). Numerous illustrations throughout text drawn for the work by John and Joseph Carey, Page edges untrimmed.
An authoritative and detailed source of history (various accounts) of certain key historical events in Belfast, and surrounding Ulster lands, particularly in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Includes: Life of Mary Ann M’Cracken ... by her grandniece, Miss Anna M’Cleery; A Narrative of the Wars of 1641, by Friar O’Mellan, O.S.F., of Brantry, Co. Tyrone ... translated from the original Irish MS. in possession of Viscount O’Neill, by Robert Macadam: Notes by John O’Donovan ... and F.W. Hanna ... and now first printed from the copy in the Grainger collection, Belfast free public library.

[Cat 160]