CALEDONIAN

According to Duncan's entry in the Oxford DNB, 'In 1809 he founded the Caledonian Horticultural Society, and in later years he was actively occupied in promoting the establishment of a public experimental garden.' 2pp, 4to. In good condition, on aged paper, creased. The recipient is not named, and the letter begins: 'Although I have already often interrupted important business of State, yet I trust you will once more, forgive an Octogenarian, when he can plead, that his principal temptation, to transgression, is an earnest desire to promote the publick good -'.

12pp., 4to. Unbound. In fair condition, aged, worn, and with light damp-staining. An interesting document in the context of Whig politics and Freemasonry in Scotland. One of a number of acrimonious pamphlets exchanged between the two men. On 22 February 1808, a few days before the writing of the present pamphlet, Mitchell had distributed a handbill stating: 'I hereby declare to the world, that, Mr James Gibson, Writer to the Signet, of York Place, is a dastardly ruffian and infamous coward'.

4pp., foolscap 8vo, on two bifoliums. On aged and worn paper, with slight bloom at head and a little loss to spine from disbinding.

Octavo. Pages: ix + 339. Frontispiece and eight plates (including three of London's Caledonian Market). Nine fold-out 'Charts or Tables'. Good, tight copy in original blue cloth gilt, with small stain at head of rear back board and another on gilt top edge. Includes sections on 'The ignorance of dealers and collectors', 'The curiosities of the curiosity-shops', 'Thefts in the art world', 'The tricks of dealers and collectors' and 'The "Knock-out" and other customs of the sale-room'.