For a recent treatment and a summary of earlier research, see the 1990 critical edition of the Epistles by Gunnar Hillbom (text) & James Massengale (music), in particular Hillbom's introduction, "Fredmans epistlar 1790 och 1990", in vol. 2, pp. 111-152 (which covers Åhlström's and Kellgren's collaboration with Bellman on the first edition and its prehistory). The corresponding work on the Fredman's Songs is the 1992 edition by Hillbom and Massengale. The background of the collection is covered by Hillbom in "Sångerna som blev Fredmans", vol. 2, pp. 95-134, the publication of the 1791 edition in particular on pp. 108-114. LIBRIS entries for the original editions: Fredmans epistlar (1790) and Fredmans sånger (links to digitized copies).
