English Civil War and later politics

The Kings cabinet opened: or, certain packets of secret letters & papers, written with the Kings own hand, and taken in his cabinet at Nasby-Field, June 14. 1645. By victorious Sr. Thomas Fairfax...For Robert Bostock, 1645, without the initial blank or rare errata leaf at the end [Wing C2358], title very soiled, other leaves slightly torn--[Wolseley, Sir Charles.] Liberty of Conscience...printed in the year 1668 [Wing W3310]--[Ludlow, Sir Edmund.] Truth brought to light: or The gross forgeries of Dr. Hollingworth, in his pamphlet intituled, The character of King Charles the First, from the declaration of Mr. Alexander Henderson, &c. detected... printed in the year 1693--[Burnet, Thomas.] Remarks upon an Essay concerning Humane Understanding: in a letter address'd to the author. For M Wotton, 1697 [Wing B5944]; Second remarks upon An essay concerning humane understanding... M. Wotton, 1697 [Wing  B5946]; Third Remarks...for M. Wotton, 1699 [Wing B5955]--Gordon, John. Elizabethae Reginæ manes de religione et regno ad Iacobum magnum...Thomas Man, 1604--Melville, James. Ad serenissimum Jacobum Primum Britanniarum monarcham, Ecclesiæ Scoticanæ libellus supplex,... J.R. for G. Thomason and O. Pullen, 1645--Anglia liberata, or, The rights of the people of England, maintained against the pretences of the Scotish King... T. Newcomb for Richard Lowns, 1651 [Wing A3178; Kress 1218]; and other seventeenth- and early eighteenth-century works; 8vo and 4to, quarter or full calf, some leaves torn or badly damaged, extremities very worn (4)

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."