ORIGINAL PAPERS; CONTAINING THE SECRET HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN, FROM THE RESTORATION, TO THE ACCESSION OF THE HOUSE OF HANNOVER. To which are prefixed Extracts from the Life of James II. As written by himself.

First edition. Two volumes. 4to. Handsomely bound in contemporary full calf, the boards ruled in gilt, the spines with five raised bands, compartments ruled in gilt and with morocco title labels lettered in gilt. Red speckled edges. A near fine set, the bindings square and tight with an area of abrasion to the upper and lower boards of the first volume, two areas of abrasion to the upper board of the second volume, bumping to the corners and a little rubbing to the extremities. The contents with a contemporary ink inscription to the front pastedown of each volume and the occasional minor mark to page margins are otherwise wonderfully clean and bright throughout. An attractive set.

The most important historical work by the Scottish writer, poet, literary collector and politician James Macpherson (1736-1796), comprising an enormous collection of state papers, letters and speeches related to the Stuarts and Hanoverians, with a particular focus on the Jacobites.