SIR WALTER SCOTT - PROMISSORY NOTE SIGNED 05/03/1823 - HFSID 49869

SIR WALTER SCOTT

1823 promissory note signed by Sir Walter Scott highlights relationship with publisher James Ballantyne.

Promissory Note signed: "Walter Scott", 8x3¼. Edinburgh, 1823 May 3. The great Scottish poet and novelist agrees to repay his publisher in twelve months. In full: "Twelve months after date, pay to our order, at our Printing Office here, eight hundred and seventy five pounds sterling, for value received. James Ballantyne & Co." Sir WALTER SCOTT (1771-1832), considered to be the father of the historical novel, had first met JAMES BALLANTYNE (1772-1833) in 1783 while attending Kelso Grammar School. In 1799, Ballantyne privately printed the two pamphlets with which Scott began his writing career, An Apology for Tales of Terror and The Eve of St. John, a ballad, beginning a literary and business partnership that would last throughout Scott's lifetime. The greatest success of James Ballantyne and Co. came in 1808, when Scott's second narrative poem, Marmion, was printed by Ballantyne for publisher Archibald Constable (Scott's first narrative poem, The Lay of the Last Minstral, had been published by Constable in 1805). Scott's romantic work, Rob Roy (1818) was also published by James Ballantyne and Co. Other noted works of Scott include Waverly (1814), Ivanhoe (1819), Kenilworth (1821) and The Talisman (1825) and the narrative poem, The Lady of the Lake. When Scott's authorship, which had been suspected but not proven, became known, he became the first British novelist to become a public figure. He was created a baronet in 1820, three years before he signed this note. Lightly creased with folds, vertical fold at the first "t" of Scott. Lightly stained at folds and blank margins. Pinholes at mid-folds, chipped at edges. Overall, fine condition. Framed to an overall size of 21¼x17¾.