American Independence and Other Topics, 1770s-80s

Tod, Thomas. Observations on American Independency. [Edinburgh: 1778]--[Macpherson, James.] A short history of the opposition during the last session of Parliament. Printed for T. Cadell, 1779--A letter upon the distillery, to the framers of the Perth-shire resolutions. [Perth: 1784?]--Maclean, Robert. A syllabus, or, heads of a course of experimental lectures, on the following branches of natural philosophy. Edinburgh: 1782 [ONLY ONE COPY LISTED IN ESTC]--A Guide to Stage Coaches, Diligences, Waggons, Carts, Coasting Vessels, Barges and Boat, which carry passengers and merchandise from London to the different towns in Great Britain. Printed for T. Lowndes, 1782 [SEEMINGLY UNIQUE; NOT LISTED IN ESTC]--Melancthon. Four Letters on the Popish Bill intended for Scotland. Edinburgh: 1780 [ONLY ONE COPY LISTED IN ESTC]--[Dalrymple, John.] Reflections upon the military preparations which are making at present in Scotland. Edinburgh: 1778; and 17 others, including three further works on distilling; mostly 8vo, parchment backed marbled boards (spines numbered 9 and 10), bindings worn, some browning (2)

J.W. Belsches, ownership signatures

The Forbes Baronetcy was created in 1626 for Sir William Forbes (d. circa 1650) by James VI in the Barontage of Nova Scotia. The majority of the works offered here were acquired by the sixth Baronet, also William (1739-1806), who added Pitsligo to his title in 1781. He was an eminent Scottish banker and benefactor, good friend of James Boswell and Samuel Johnson (see lots 45-46), and finally succeeded in recovering the Pitsligo estates forfeited after the Jacobite rebellion of 1745. His son William, the seventh baronet, beat Sir Walter Scott to the hand of the renowned beauty Williamina Belsches Stuart (1776-1810), and it was with their marriage that the family moved to her family seat, Fettercairn House in Kincardineshire, Aberdeenshire.

One of the sixth baronet’s acquisitions for his library at Pitsligo were numerous highly important miscellanies and tract volumes, many of which were purchased as a set from Edinburgh bookseller Elphinstone Balfour in October 1786. These were subsequently supplemented by further contemporary tracts and other works from the late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century. Most of these miscellanies bear a nineteenth century Forbes family bookplate.

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing unless otherwise stated
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Including a very rare copy of Lowndes' Guide to Stage Coaches...[&c.]. The previous edition was published with the title The London Directory, and although ESTC lists a number of copies dated between 1780 (when the new title was apparently adopted) and 1797, but no examples of this 1782 edition. The work includes distances to each town and details of the regular departures, as well as "The Rates of Hackney Coaches, Chairman, and Watermen", seemingly new for this edition.