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Macpherson, James.
Fingal, A Poem in Six Books, By Ossian: Translated from the Original Galic...
Publisher: J. & J. Fletcher; T. Payne; J. and F. Rivington, Oxford;
Date of Publication: 1772
Stock Code: 12516
Octavo, pp. viii, 180. In the original late 18th century binding of full mottled calf over boards, gilt fillet borders and gilt corner fleurons to boards, 5 raised spine bands with gilt fillets and gilt ornaments to spine compartments, all edges speckled red. Calf lightly rubbed to spine with minor wear to corners, small 2 cm surface crack to calf at top of upper joint. Gilt is bright. Contents secure, tight, free from foxing and tanning and clean save a small, neat ink ownership inscription in a late 18th century hand to front paste-down and ffep. A very good copy. A translation of one of the great controversial works of 18th century literature, which caused an uproar in coffee houses and academic offices up and down Great Britain. Ostensibly sold as a lost ancient epic penned by the third century bard, Ossian, which Mcphearson discovered whilst searching for Gaelic poetry in the Scottish Highlands, the text came under scrutiny as a forgery. Elegantly bound in a contemporary binding. Scarce.
£180.00