9 volumes, folio, 96 COPPERPLATES (including portrait frontispiece to volume 1, the second portrait, and further engraved plates throughout), half-title in each volume, 4 fly titles in each volume (for 36 plays), contemporary green straight-grain morocco elaborately gilt, with inset double border of small tulips, ornate gilt vignette of lyre on upper and lower board of each volume, additionally decorated in blind and gilt, spines richly gilt in six compartments, repeating the design of the lute, all edges gilt, slightly rubbed at extremities, some very slight staining to the lower edge of the boards in a few volumes, some light spotting and browning (particularly to vol. 8)

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.

Jaggard p.508

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."

A VERY ATTRACTIVE SET IN A SUMPTUOUS BINDING. John Boydell (1720-1804) conceived of this grand illustrated edition of Shakespeare's plays in November 1786. Quickly, Boydell, aided by his brother Josiah and the bookseller George Nicol, recruited Shakespeare scholar George Steevens to edit the text and numerous artists and engravers to provide the illustrations.