Lot 267
Ramsay, Allan
Rare Books, Maps and Manuscripts
Auction: 29 August 2012 at 12:00 BST
Description
A poem to the memory of the famous Archbald [sic] Pitcairn, M.D. By a member of the Easy Club in Edinburgh. [Edinburgh: Andrew Hart ?, 1713]. First edition, 4to, 8pp., disbound, cloth folder
Footnote
Provenance: Viscount Strathallan, Stobhall, Perthshire
Note: Very rare. Only two other copies known: Edinburgh Public Library and National Library of Scotland.
The Easy Club was a group of young men interested in literature who had formed themselves in May 1712 into a Club on the model of the Spectator Club described by Addison and Steele. They adopted pseudoynyms, and Allan Ramsay, who was one of the founding members, took as his club name Isaac Bickerstaff. Ramsay, then aged about 28, was a wig-maker in Edinburgh. The Journal of the Easy Club tells us that on Thursday 5 November 1713 "it was unanimously resolv'd.. by each that none of this club shall have English but Scots patrons... and that member formerly nam'd Isaac Bickerstaff did chose (sic) Gavin Douglas sometime Bishop of Dunkeld, and a famous old Scots poet for which he is chose by that member" and that "Gavin Douglas was chosen Praeses who after he had taken the chair presented a poem composed by himself to the memory of Dr. Archd. Pitcairn... the poem and dedication being read it was unanimously approven and the author's compliment received for which he had the thanks of the Club - after which it was resolved the said poem should be printed at the charge of the members the author included (at his own desire)." [Freeman & Law, The Bibliotheck 9, 1978-79, pp.153-160; ESTC T197008 ]