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  • Ossian's Poems Vols 1&2 - J. Macpherson, Suttaby & Crosby 1807 Hardback Editions 1
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  • Ossian's Poems Vols 1&2 - J. Macpherson, Suttaby & Crosby 1807 Hardback Editions 2
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  • Ossian's Poems Vols 1&2 - J. Macpherson, Suttaby & Crosby 1807 Hardback Editions 3
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  • Ossian's Poems Vols 1&2 - J. Macpherson, Suttaby & Crosby 1807 Hardback Editions 4
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  • Ossian's Poems Vols 1&2 - J. Macpherson, Suttaby & Crosby 1807 Hardback Editions 5
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  • Ossian's Poems Vols 1&2 - J. Macpherson, Suttaby & Crosby 1807 Hardback Editions 6
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  • Ossian's Poems Vols 1&2 - J. Macpherson, Suttaby & Crosby 1807 Hardback Editions 7
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  • Ossian's Poems Vols 1&2 - J. Macpherson, Suttaby & Crosby 1807 Hardback Editions 8
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  • Ossian's Poems Vols 1&2 - J. Macpherson, Suttaby & Crosby 1807 Hardback Editions 9
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  • Ossian's Poems Vols 1&2 - J. Macpherson, Suttaby & Crosby 1807 Hardback Editions 10
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Description

• Title: Ossian's Poems Vols. 1 & 2
• Author: James Macpherson, Esq.
• Publisher: W. Suttaby & B. Crosby & Co., London
• Date: 1807
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Hardback, two volumes
• Pages: 338/335
• ISBN: n/a
• EAN: n/a
• Dimensions: 7.3 x 12.1cm (2.9 x 4.75")
• Condition: Very good

• Poems in the collection: Fingal, Lathmon, Darthula, The Death of Cathullin, The Battle of Lora, Temora, Conlath and Cuthona, Berrathon, Comala, Carric-Thura, Carthon, Oina-Morul, Colna-Dona, Oithona, Croma, Calthon and Colmal, The War of Caros, Cathlin of Clutha, Sul-malla of Lumon, The War of Inis-Thona, The Songs of Selma

In 1761, the Scottish author and politician James Macpherson caused enormous excitement in in the literary world when he announced that he had discovered and translated an epic work, Fingal, by a previously-unknown 3rd Century poet named Ossian. Fingal was an instant, international success, soon appearing in many other languages - Napoleon was a big fan, as was the philosopher Diderot, while Thomas Jefferson claimed Ossian "the greatest poet that has ever existed" and Henry David Thoreau compared him favourably to Homer.

However, others, though in most cases expressing admiration for the poetry, had doubts. Philosopher and historian David Hume, initially a supporter of Macpherson, soon declared it to be fake, just as no less a figure than Samuel Johnson had since it was first published (Johnson also used it as an opportunity for a spot of anti-Irish racism), and before too long literary society was engaged in a furious row between two warring groups - those who believed Ossian was a real historical figure, and those who believed Macpherson wrote the poems himself and made the whole thing up. The author(s) of the numerous prefaces and discourses accompanying this collection are most definitely in the doubtful camp.

By the middle of the 19th Century, general consensus was that Ossian probably never existed and that Macpherson had concocted "Ossian's" work - including a second epic, Temora, and his other poems - from fragments of genuine early Scots/Irish poems he'd discovered; this does appear to be at least partially the case for Fingal, but by the start of the 20th Century it had been shown that Temora and the other poems were in fact based it on Gaelic translations of Macpherson's own poetry.

Macpherson died in 1796, eleven years before this two-volume collection of poems was published by Suttaby & Crosby of Charing Cross at a time when the debate was still raging and most people were convinced Ossian had really existed; what we have here, then, is a fascinating little historical artifact from one of the greatest literary frauds of all time. Considering they're 215 years old, both volumes remain in suprisingly good condition - there is notable wear to the marbled hardcovers, but the spines are intact and the binding is tight so that there are no loose nor missing pages. The end papers flyleaves of both books are marked with pencil, Vol. 2 also bears a previous owner's name signed in 1868 in ink; both books have some small inscriptions on the illustrated title pages, but there is no further annotation throughout the remainder of the text blocks. There is some age-related yellowing of the paper but this is very mild; these is almost no traces of foxing whatsoever and the books have been kept in dry conditions.

Due to the nature of this item it is not always possible for us to identify any missing parts.
For this reason we ask that you please check the pictures carefully, as these show everything that is included.

This item has been very kindly donated to the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Our ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. Our aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count.

100% of the money raised from this sale will go to the charity.

Our sales team do their best to check each item and ensure that the description and pictures provided are as accurate as possible.

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If when you receive your order you are not completely satisfied, you may return the items to us within 30 days for a refund. Returns will be processed within three working days once the goods have been received by us.

Items must be returned to us in the same condition as they were received by you. This includes, but is not limited to: original packaging, original boxes, packaging materials, manuals, blank warranty cards, accessories and documents. We reserve the right to refuse a return or deduct an amount for lost value where the item is returned in a different condition.

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Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will not be held responsible for returns lost or damaged in transit.

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Incorrect/Damaged Goods

We try very hard to ensure that you receive your order in pristine condition. In the unlikely event that your order arrives damaged or faulty, please contact us via eBay immediately, this will be given special priority and you can expect to receive a response within 48 hours, Monday to Friday. Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will cover the cost of domestic return postage for any incorrect or damaged items, subject to the cost of the chosen return method being reasonable. Please contact us before proceeding if unsure.

About Arthur Rank Hospice Charity

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Its ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. The aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count.

Around 4,000 patients are cared for each year at the Hospice in Cambridge, the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre in Wisbech and in patients’ own homes via the Arthur Rank Community Team. This care supports people to improve their quality of life and fulfil their end of their life choices.

Alongside the care provided by the Inpatient Unit, Living Well services and Hospice at Home teams, patients can access: patient and family support; lymphoedema care; complementary therapy; medical and pain outpatient clinics; and advice from the clinical nurse specialists within the Specialist Palliative Care Home Team. Programmes are practical, holistic and tailored to the individual patient, family member or carer and may also include rehabilitative support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychological support.

It will cost £10.5 million in 2021/2022 to run services, which are provided free of charge to patients and their loved ones. Contracted services from the NHS are budgeted at £6.98 million, meaning that £3.52 million needs to be raised through donations, fundraising activities and trading. The Charity is extremely grateful to the local community for the continual dedication, commitment and generosity they show in supporting towards meeting this target.

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