The Poems of Ossian, the Son of Fingal, translated by James Macpherson, Cameron and Murdoch's Edition, Vol II, 1797

A handsome late 18th-century pocket edition of The Poems of Ossian, presented here as Volume II of Cameron and Murdoch’s embellished Glasgow edition, dated 1797 on the vignette title page. Bound in elegant full tree calf with finely engraved plates and decorative typography, this is a particularly attractive example of Ossian’s enduring literary influence.

First published in the 1760s by James Macpherson, the Ossianic poems captivated Enlightenment and Romantic audiences alike, influencing literary and cultural figures from Goethe to Napoleon and Wordsworth. Though their authenticity as translations from ancient Gaelic oral tradition has long been debated, their lyrical melancholy and mythic grandeur remain significant to both Scottish identity and European Romanticism.

The Poems of Ossian, the Son of Fingal, translated by James Macpherson, Esq. To Which are Prefixed, Dissertations on the Aera and Poems of Ossian. Cameron and Murdoch's Edition. Vol II, Embellished with Superb Engravings. 

From the vignette title page: Cameron and Murdoch's Pocket Edition of Ossians Poems. Translated by James Mc.Pherson, Esq., with the principal Dissertations on the Era and Poems of the Author, Vol II, Superbly Embellished.

Vol. II contains the works:

Carthon, Dar-Thula, Carric-Thura, Berrathon, Temora, Cath-Loda, &c, &c, &c.

Published by Cameron and Murdoch, Glasgow. Dated 1797 to the vignette title page. Vol. II only.

A very good hardback in full polished tree calf, with gilt rules to spine and red morocco label with gilt titles, and black roundel with gilt volume number to spine. First free blank endpaper is only loosely attached and the second blank has been removed. Covers with light rubbing, but overall, a soundly bound copy.

Text pages are very good throughout with mild age-toning and a few occasional age spots, but a nicely presented copy. With previous owner's name of 'Charles Stuart' to title and further name to first page of 'Carthon'.

Text in English.

234pp + (1) Publisher's advertisement. Includes vignette title, full title, Vol. II summary contents, and full contents list. Contains printer's decorations to text and 3 full pages engraved plates, with tissue guards.

Dimensions:

Approximately 144mm high x 91mm wide x 22mm deep.

Weight approximately 180g unpacked.