Witchcraft and other subjects

[Bragge, Francis.] A Full and Impartial Account of the Discovery of Sorcery and Witchcraft Practis'd by Jane Wenham... Also her Tryal at the Assizes at Hertford before Mr. Justice Powell, where she was found Guilty of Felony and Witchcraft, and Received Sentence of Death for the Same, March 4, 1711-12. For E. Curll, 1712, cropped--A Short Account of the Experience of Mrs. Anne Beaker, of Littleton, (A Village on the Borders of Wiltshire)... for the author, 1744--A True Narrative of the Sufferings and Relief of a Young Girle strangely Molested, by Evil Spirits and their Instruments, in the West...containing reflections on what is most material or curious; either in the History, or Trial of the Seven Witches who were condemn'd to be Execute in that Countrey. Edinburgh: James Watson, 1698, leaves badly torn soiled and stained (with loss at the end)--Mr William Lilly's History his Life and t.mes s, from the year 1602, to 1681...For J. Roberts, 1715--Keimer, Samuel. A Brand pluck’d from the burning: exemplify’d in the unparallel’d case of Samuel Keimer, Offer’d to the Perusal of the Serious Part of Mankind...W. Boreham, 1718--and other works relating to taxes, Scotland, riots, Liberties of England, religious controversies, some Edinburgh imprints, some annotations or ownership signatures; 8vo or 12mo, contemporary quarter calf, marbled boards (spines numbered 285, 288), some wear to bindings

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 stat.mes nt made by Replica Shoes '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."

Jane Wenham (d.1730) was the last person convicted of witchcraft in England. Her case was heard on 4 March 1712, and villagers described how she had bewitched them, their children and even local livestock, and how potions prepared from corpses had been found under her pillow. The only indictment the assize lawyers would accept, however, was that she had conversed with the devil in the form of a cat and although this was enough to secure a guilty verdict the sceptical trial judge, Sir John Powell, ordered a reprieve and later secured Wenham a royal pardon.