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Macpherson, James.
Ossian. A Poem in Six Books.
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. 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