Drama, exploration, Scottish affairs, politics and other subjects

[Gay, John.] Acis and Galatea, a Serenata ... formerly composed by Mr Handel. T. Wood, 1732, THREE COPIES ONLY RECORDED IN ESTC (NOT IN BL)--Holwell, J.Z. A Genuine Narrative of the Deplorable Deaths of the English Gentlemen, and others, who were suffocated in the Black Hole ... at Calcutta. for A. Millar, 1758--Peter Williamson. The Travels ... Among the different Nations and Tribes of Savage Indians in America ... in three parts. Edinburgh: R. Fleming, 1768, three engraved plates--[Smollett, Tobias.] The Reprisal: Or the Tars of Old England. Paul Vailant, 1757, FOUR COPIES RECORDED ON ESTC (NOT IN BL)--[Blair, Hugh.] Heads of the Lectures on Rhetorick and Belles Lettres, In the University of Edinburgh, 1767. Edinburgh: A. Kincaid & J. Bell, [1767], THREE COPIES IN ESTC--Barker, Robert. The Unfortunate Shipwright: or Cruel Captain, being A faithful Narrative of the unparallel'd Sufferings of Robert Barker...in a Voyage to the Coast of Guinea and Antigua. by Larkin How for the Benefit of the Sufferer, 1762, woodcut frontispiece and endpiece--Goldini, Carlo. The Coquet. A Musical Entertainment ... Translated from the Italian...By Stephen Storace. C.D. Piguenit, 1771--The Secret History of the Calves-Head Club, or the Republican Unmasq'd. 1704, fourth edition with additions--The Massacre of Glenco. B. Bragg, 1703; and 32 others on a wide range of subjects including current affairs from 1700s-1740s, plays, and theology; 5 volumes 8vo and one volume (containing 10 tracts) 4to, contemporary contents list at the front of each volume, 18th century calf-backed marbled boards with lettering pieces (spines faintly numbered 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, the other unnumbered), bindings worn, some staining and occasional spotting (6)

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."