Oberon A Poem; From the German of Wieland

London: Cadell and Davies, 1798. First edition. Leather. Very Good Indeed. 7.5" by 5". None. A scarce first edition of Sotheby's translation of Oberon. Translated from the German of Christoph Martin Wieland. The original poem was very popular at the time and Sotheby is noted for translating in to English. Wieland was reportedly delighted with Sotheby's translation of the work. Oberon is a faeire king in the lore of Medieval and Renaissance Europe, and features heavily in European literature. This poem tells the tale of how Huon, duke of Guienne, becomes embroiled in a quarrel between Oberon and his queen, Titania. Sotheby was a famed translator and Romantic poet, held in high regard by various well known figures of the day such as Byron and Wordsworth. Direct from the Regency library of Elizabeth Greenly, later Lady Elizabeth Coffin Greenly. Elizabeth Greenly, born at Titley Court, Herefordshire, was a noted and varied collector. She kept prolific diaries from 1784 until her death in 1839 which included her responses to current events and occasions in her daily life. Among the diaries many names and anecdotes of celebrities of the time appear, including Lord Byron, Marie Antoinette, Mary Wollstonecraft and Hannah More. She was known to comment on customs of foreign countries to which she and her friends had travelled, and had a keen interest in scientific discoveries and advancements including medicine and archaeology. The Greenly library contents show Elizabeth Greenly's numerous interests including: Welsh causes, Science, topography, travel, Bibliana and literature, particularly female poets. The library contains many first editions of contemporary works, and many are signed or contain her bookplate. The library contained over 1000 volumes which show the diversity and depth of her interests and give an insight into the life of this fascinating collector. These works come directly from the library of the Titley Court estate. Rebound in paper covered boards. Externally, smart with rubbing and handling marks to boards. Internally firmly bound. Pages bright and clean, with the occasional spotting. Very Good Indeed