Science, Medicine, and Literature

Falck, N.D. A Philosophical Dissertation on the Diving Vessel projected by Mr. Day, and sunk in Plymouth Sound... for the author, 1775, two folding engraved plates--Sinclair, Sir John. An Essay on Longevity. For A. Strahan, 1802, presentation copy from the author to Sir William Forbes; The Code of Health and Longevity... Edinburgh: for the author, 1805--Herdman, John. Discourses on the Management of Infants... Edinburgh: for A. Constable, 1804, presentation copy to Sir William Forbes--J. Johnson. A Guide for Gentlemen Studying Medicine at the University of Edinburgh. For G.G.J. and J. Robinson et al, 1792--Henry, Thomas. An Account of a Method of Preserving Water, at Sea, from Putrefaction...Warrington: W. Eyres for (London:) J. Johnson, 1791, folding engraved plates--Rumford, Benjamin, Graf von. Proposals for forming by subscription, in the metropolis of the British Empire, a public institution for diffusing the knowledge and facilitating the general introduction of useful mechanical inventions and improvements, and for teaching, By Courses of Philosophical Lectures and Experiments, the application of science to the common purposes of life. [London, 1799], presentation copy inscribed by the author on the title page to Dugal Stewart; and many others, some on science or medicine (e.g. midwifery, Journals of the Royal Institution), some religious; together with parliamentary speeches, poetry, essays on the theatre etc., some works in French; 4to and 8vo, some with ownership signature of Sir William Forbes, contemporary or near contemporary quarter or half calf, marbled boards (spines numbered 49, 245, 281, 361, 364), some wear to bindings (5)

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."

The first listed work is the first edition of a description of the submersible ship devised by an illiterate Yarmouth carpenter, with an analysis of its single failed dive, in which the inventor drowned.