2 volumes in one, large folio, portrait frontispieces in each volume, engraved vignettes on title pages, and 95 engraved plates (39 in volume one and 49 in volume 2; the 7 As You Like It "Seven Ages" plates bound at end), contemporary diced calf, with marbled paper panel on both boards, Greek border tooled in blind, spine gilt in compartments, binding worn, occasional slight marginal worming, lacking one plate (Vol. 2, No. 48: "Shakspeare Nursed by Tragedy and Comedy"), some tissue guards torn

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.

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."

Described by Josiah Boydell in the Preface as "a work, which, for its magnitude and expense, is certainly unparalleled in any age of country; and bears much more the appearance of a National Undertaking, executed at the public expense, than the enterprise of the branches of one private family".