A Select Collection of Modern Poems, Moral and Philosophical.

Creator

Date

1759

Identifier

De Beer Sb 1759 S

Publisher

Printed for Robert Urie

Abstract

Here is the bookplate of one ‘John Murray’. The Murray clan in Scotland dates back to the 12th century and in Gaelic Moireabh (which became Murray) means sea-settlement, so it seems fitting a mermaid appears on the Murray badge. The legendary sea creature is portrayed traditionally, as she holds a mirror in her right (dexter) hand and a comb in her left (sinister) hand. The mermaid’s tale rests on a two-toned wreath. The image of the mermaid in Scotland dates back to 400 A.D, and is found on Pictish stone carvings dating from that time. The banner above her head reads ‘Tout prest’ meaning ‘all ready’. So who is the John Murray, that this book belonged to?

Files

Cab 13-0001.jpg

Tags

Citation

Robert Urie, “A Select Collection of Modern Poems, Moral and Philosophical.,” ourheritage.ac.nz | OUR Heritage, accessed November 6, 2024, https://otago.ourheritage.ac.nz/index.php/items/show/11528.