small folio, early state (with "fol.xvii" misnumbered "fol.xviii"), woodcut title [McKerrow and Ferguson 68], title and calendar printed in black and red, woodcut initials throughout, later calf, flat spine in six compartments, red spine label lettered in gilt, all edges red, rubbed, lacking four clasps, additional ink decorations to title page, resulting in an area of loss below imprint, some slight staining to lower edge of leaves A2-A5, some ink annotations

Sir William Forbes, bookplate

The Forbes Baronetcy was created in 1626 for Sir William Forbes (d. circa 1650) by James VI in the Baront꧟age 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 Jac♛obite 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.

Griffiths 1549/8; PMM 75; STC (2nd ed.) 16270

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"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."

One of the sixteen editions of the Book of Common Prayer issued in its first year of publication, and is now "as a source of spiritual inspiration...for most Englishmen second only to the Bible" (PMM). The final paragraph contains a decree from the King regarding the price of the book.