The Great Hymn "Altus" of S. Columba Abbot of Iona as Written by Him in Latin Words and Gaelic Letters About the Year 587 For a Pennance Because He Had Caused War. With a Paraphrase in English by W Muir and an Appendix by Him Founded on a Doubtful Couplet (IONA PRESS) [SAINT COLUMBA, ABBOT OF IONA; WILLIAM MUIR]

8vo. Hand-colored initials and decorations, lettered by "Vek." [15] pp., rectos only, entirely lithographed, text in Latin with concurrent English paraphrase. Publisher's printed wrappers; covers worn and detached, text toned, faint vertical crease throughout. From the Iona Press, co-founded in 1887 by the Gaelic scholar John McCormick and the printer and publisher William Muir, known for his lithographed facsimiles of William Blake's prophetic works. The press produced small keepsake volumes for visitors to the island of Iona in Scotland. It was here that the Irish monk St. Columba arrived in the 6th century, bringing Christianity to Scotland, and establishing the abbey that would be at least partly responsible for the production of the Book of Kells.