The Poems of Ossian

Volume II (of three) only).  A new edition.  [2], 436pp.  Bound in full brown calf’s leather, red title label on spine with gilt decoration and lettering.  Boards are heavily rubbed, chipped and scuffed all over with minor loss of leather at base of spine, spine label partially crumbled away.  Text block edges dust darkened and spotted.  Lacks front free endpaper and half-title.  Some spotting and occasional sign of use else internally generally neat. clean and bright.  A good reading/reference copy, suitable for restoration or rebinding.

The Poems of Ossian is a three volume cycle of epic poems published by the Scottish poet James Macpherson (1736-1796), originally printed under the titles Fingal (1761) and Temora (1783), and only later combined as the Poems of Ossian.  Macpherson claimed to have collected the poetry from ancient sources and that the work was his translation of that material. Some contemporary critics believed this but the current consensus is that that Macpherson largely wrote the poems himself, drawing on traditional Gaelic poetry.  The work was popular at the time of publication and translated into many languages in the late 18th century: it was highly influential in the development of the Romantic movement and the Gaelic Revival; and Macpherson’s reputation as a literary great was sealed by his burial in Westminster Abbey alongside other literary greats.