England, Church of. Iniunctions giuen by the Queenes Maiestie...The first yeere of the raigne of our soueraign Lady Queene Elizabeth. [issued with:] Articles to be enquired of in the visitation, in the first yeere of the raign of our most dread soueraign Ladie Elzabeth... By the assignment of Robert Barker, 1600 [STC 10110, 10133]; these two issued as a pair as usual, some slight tears to second work and lacking the final blank leaf; A short forme of thankesgiuing to God, for staying the contagious sickenes of the plague: to be vsed in common prayer... Robert Barker, 1604 [STC 16533], these three all with title page borders (McKerrow & Ferguson 165)--The fatall vesper, or A true and punctuall relation of that lamentable and fearefull accident, hapning on Sunday in the afternoone being the 26. of October last, by the fall of a roome in the Black-Friers in which were assembled many people at a sermon, which was to be preached by Father Drurie a Iesuite... John Haviland for Richard Whitaker, 1623 [STC 6015, previously incorrectly attributed to William Crashaw], apparently the second issue with forms reimposed [see Arthur Freeman, in The Library, ser. 5, 23:128-135], lacking initial and final blanks--[Prynne, William.] King Richard the Third revived. Containing a memorable petition and declaration contrived by himself and his instruments, whiles Protector, in the name of the three estates of England, to importune and perswade him to accept of the kingship, and crown of England... for William Leak, 1657 [Wing P3990]--To His Excellency the Lord Fleetwood, and the general council of officers of the armies of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The humble address of the inferiour officers and souldiers of the late Lord Pride’s regiment. T. Lock, 1659 [Wing T1352]--Henderson, Alexander. A sermon preachd before the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, at Margarets Church in Westminster, upon Thursday 18 July 1644. It being the day of publick thanksgiving, for the great mercy of God, in the happy successe of the forces of both kingdoms neer York, against the enemies of King and Parliament... re-reprinted at Edinburgh: Evan Tyler, 1644 [Wing H1442]--Essex, Robert Devereux, Earl of. The copy of a letter sent...to Mr. Pym, a member of the House of Commons... L[uke] N[orton] for E. Husbands and J. Franck, 1642 [Wing E3311]—Morgan, Thomas, Sir. Severall Letters from Colonell Morgan…and Colnell Birch. Fully relating the maner of the taking of the city and garrison of Hereford, with the number slain on both sides… John Wright, 1645 [Wing M2749]—Carre, James. A letter…to the Lord Admirall. Allo [sic], good news from Ireland, of Inchiqvins declaring himself against the rebels, and 14000 Scots marched towards them, and other passages from thence. And, Hastings forces routed in Derbyshire… For Matthew Walbancke, 1644 [Wing R6967; FOUR COPIES ONLY IN THE UK]—Fairfax, Sir Thomas. Two letters…sent to both Houses of Parliament; with the humble advice of the Councel of Warre…Also, the petition of the private souldierie of the army, both horse and foot, presented…Published at the instant desire of the army, to prevent mis-understandings, and to set forth their candid desire of the peace and welfare of the Parliament, and this kingdome; as also, concerning the reliefe of Ireland. For George Whittington, 1647 [Wing F248]; some leaves cut close, slightly cropped or slightly soiled, occasional slight worming; together with 19 others, chiefly from the English Civil War period, including: Magnalia dei. A relation of some of the many remarkable passages in Cheshire before the siege of Namptvvich, during the continuance of it: and at the happy raising of it by the victorious gentlemen Sir Tho. Fairfax and Sir William Brereton. For Robert Bostock, 1644 [Wing M255]—Charles I. The Irish cabinet: or His Majesties secret papers, for establishing the Papall clergy in Ireland, with other matters of high concernment, taken in the carriages of the Archbishop of Tuam, who was slain in the late fight at Sliggo in that kingdom. For E. Husband, 1645 [1646] [Wing C2353]—[Chaloner, Thomas.]XII. Resolves concerning the disposal of the Person of the King…with a Declaration of the Generall Assembly of Scotland, concerning the danger of Capitulation… Jane Coe, 1646 [Wing C1806; THREE COPIES ONLY IN THE UK]—C., W. The Prince of VVales his coming to Yarmouth, vvith 19. saile of shipping, & landing an armie for the relief of Colchester. Also a fight between them and the Parliaments forces; some of the princes men taken prisoners, and rescued again by the town of Yarmouth… Robert Austin, 1647 [Wing C163, ONLY FOUR COPIES IN BRITAIN OR AMERICA]; some pamphlets soiled, torn or with some worming; 4to, early eighteenth-century quarter calf, marbled boards (spine numbered 1), boards worn, corners bumped

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 acquis𒉰itions 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 eighte🌼enth- 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, when 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."

The first two works, the Elizabethan Injunctions and Visitation Articles, were normally issued together in various editions from 1559 onwards. THIS IS AN EARLY EDITION OF THE DEFINING 39 ARTICLES OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, WHICH HAD A LASTING EFFECT ON RELIGION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND ELSEWHERE THROUGH THEIR INCORPORATION IN THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER. They were properly established by a Convocation of the Church under the direction of Matthew Parker in 1663, and later finalised in 1571. The fifth pamphlet is an address of loyalty to the Commonwealth and opposition to the Royalist cause. OTHER PAMPHLETS RECORD KEY BATTLES AND SIEGES IN ENGLAND AND IRELAND DURING THE CIVIL WAR, including those at Nantwich, Colchester and Sligo.