"FINGAL, AN ANCIENT EPIC POEM"

FINGAL, An Ancient Epic Poem , In Six Books
Together with several other Poems, composed by Ossian the Son of Fingal. Translated from the Galic Language, By James Macpherson.

1762, Second Edition
T. Becket and P. A. De Hondt, London, 10 1/2” x 8 1/2”

Period 18th century full calf,scuffed and worn, with five raised bands.
298 total pages: 24 preliminary pages, 270 pages text, 4 end pages.

Treasured by Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon, and an inspiration to Wordsworth, Coleridge,and Byron; the authorship of this work is a long standing controversy. Samuel Johnson condemned them as “forgeries”. Some modern researchers have concluded they were principally written by Macpherson himself, taken from 12th century Irish tales and not the work of a 3rd century Scottish bard.

Bookplate affixed to the endpaper of the detached front board: “ Gouverneur Morris Esq. “ with family coat of arms.

detached 1st flyleaf signed: “ Gouv Morris “ and inscribed :
“ A Present from my Mother “ in upper right

Gouvernor Morris 1 (1752 – 1816) American statesman and Founding Father, was a signatory to the Articles of the Confederation and United States Constitution, and wrote the Preamble to the United States Constitution. In an era when most Americans thought of themselves as citizens of their respective states, Morris advanced the idea of being a citizen of a single union of states.

Provenance : estate of Ambassador and Mrs. Philip Bonsal, a direct descendant of Gouverneur Morris

Price...............................................SOLD