American Independence and Other Subjects, chiefly 1770s-80s

[Knox, William.] The Controversy between Great Britain and her Colonies reviewed; the several pleas of the colonies... J. Almon, 1769 [Adams, 69-17b]--[Adams, Samuel.] An appeal to the world; or a vindication of the town of Boston, from many false and malicious aspersions contained in certain letters and memorials, written by Governor Bernard, General Gage, Commodore Hood, the Commissioners of the American Board of Customs, and others... Boston: Edes and Gill and (London:) reprinted for J. Almon, 1770 [Adams, 69-7d; Sabin, 6478]--Mauduit, Israel. A Short View of the History of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay...third edition... For J. Wilkie, 1774--[Macpherson, James.] The rights of Great Britain asserted against the claims of America...eighth edition...For T. Cadell, 1776, folding table,  [Adams, 75-95k]--Smith, William. An Oration in memory of General Montgomery, and of the Officers and Soldiers, who fell with him, December 31, 1775, before Quebec... Philadelphia, printed; London, reprinted for J. Almon, 1776--[Kippis, Andrew.] Considerations on the Provisional Treaty with America, and the Preliminary Articles of Peace with France and Spain. For T. Cadell, 1783 [Adams 83-57a; Sabin 37953]--Transactions in India...1786--[Wolseley, John Rogerson.] An Account of the Gallant Defence made at Mangalore in the East-Indies... For C. Bathurst, 1786, folding engraved map and two further engraved plates--Lunardi, Vincenzo. An Account of Five Aerial Voyages in Scotland, in a series of letters to his Guardian, Chevalier Gerardo Compagni. For the author, 1786, stipple-engraved portrait by Burke after Nesmith, 2 plates, leaf of explanation at end--[Martin, Benjamin.] The principles of perspective, explained in a genuine theory. Edinburgh, 1790, engraved plates--Carter, George. A Narrative of the Loss of the Grosvenor East Indiaman... Minerva Press for J. Murray and William Lane, 1791, folding engraved frontispiece--Walker, George. A True Account of the Siege of London-Derry...the second edition corrected. Robert Clavel and Ralph Simpson, 1689, [Wing W352]--[Trenchard, John.] A Short History of Standing Armies in England... printed in the year 1698; these two slightly darkened and soiled, some tears--[Hayes, Charles.] The importance of effectually supporting the Royal African Company of England impartially consider’d... For M. Cooper, 1744, lacking maps--Parliament. House of Commons. An account of extraordinary services incurred, and paid by the Right Honourable Richard Rigby, ... between the 31st of January 1781 and the 1st of February 1782, and not provided for by Parliament. By order of the House of Commons, 1782, with additional title-page, ONLY TWO COPIES RECORDED BY ESTC (BRITISH LIBRARY AND HAVARD)--Clive, Robert Clive, Baron. Lord Clive's Speech, in the House of Commons, 30th March, 1773...For J. Walter, [1772]; and many others, subjects including the attempted  impeachment of the Governor General of India Warren Hastings led by Edmund Burke, speeches by Burke relating to France, reports on India and the East India company, elections, salt, Scottish affairs, Minorca, other colonial affairs, court-martials, landlord rent for arable land, together with works of verse, some with ownership signatures of William Forbes or presentations to him; 8vo and 4to; late eighteenth- or early nineteenth-century quarter calf, marbled boards (spines numbered 58, 192, 247, 248, 249, 250, 274, 277, 279), some bindings slightly worn and rubbed, some occasional staining to some texts

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."

A SIGNIFICANT COLLECTION OF WORKS, INCLUDING IMPORTANT PAMPHLETS RELATING TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, INDIA, AND THE EAST INDIA COMPANY.