Volume of 17 pamphlets and some ephemeral items related to the Society of Antiquaries gathered together by Benjamin Way FSA (1740-1808).

COLLECTION OF TRACTS AND EPHEMERA RELATED TO THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES

Various sizes but bound in a large quarto volume (approx 270 x 215mm). 18th-century calf, covers with a narrow gilt border, spine tooled in gilt, red morocco label, marbled endleaves, red sprinkled edges (binding carefully refurbished).

 

1. A copy of the Royal Charter and statutes of the Society of Antiquaries of London. 8vo. 40pp. London, 1777. Huntington and Yale only in the USA.

 

2. WEBB (Philip Carteret). A Short Account of Some Particulars concerning Domes-Day Book...4to. [2], 21, [1] pp. London, 1756. Bowyer's records show 500 copies printed. 

 

3. WEBB (Philip Carteret). A Short Account of Danegeld. 4to. [2], 38 pp. London, 1756. Bowyer's records suggest 500 copies printed.

 

4. WEBB (Philip Carteret). An Account of a Copper Table: containing two inscriptions, in the Greek and Latin Tongues. 4to. 10pp., with the engraved plates found in this work and the following. London, 1760. 

 

5. PETTINGAL (John). The Latin Inscription on the Copper Table Discovered in the Year 1732, near Heraclea. 4to. 9, [1] pp., with the engraved plates [see above]. London, 1760. 

 

6. PETTINGAL (John). A dissertation upon the Tascia, or Legend, on the British Coins of Cunobelin. 4to. [2], 9, [1]., with the engraved plate. Early repaired closed tear to the fore-margin of the final leaf (just touching a couple of letters of text). London: 1763. 

 

7. AYLOFFE (Joseph). An Historical Description of an Ancient Picture in Windsor Castle. 4to. [4], 45, [1] pp., with the half-title. London, 1773.

 

8. TOPHAM (John). A Description of an Antient Picture in Windsor Castle,, representing the Embarkation of King Henry VIII at Dover...4to. [2], 42, [2]., with two engraved plates. London, 1781. 

 

9. AYLOFFE (Sir Joseph). An Historical description of an Ancient Painting at Cowdry, in Sussex. 4to. 20pp. London, 1778.

 

10. An historical and descriptive account of the ancient painting, preserved at Cowdray in Sussex. 4to. 20pp., drop-head title. [London, 1785?]

 

11. A Description of some ancient historical paintings preserved at Cowdray in Sussex. 4to 32pp., drop-head title. [London, 1788]

 

12. MILLES (Jeremiah). A speech delivered to the Society of Antiquaries, on Thursday January the 11th, 1781, upon their removal into the apartments assigned to them in Somerset House. 4to. 11, [1]pp. 4 copies only in the US (3 at the Walpole Library, Yale).

 

13. Works published by the Society of Antiquaries of London. 4to. 8pp., drop-head title. Not in ESTC.

 

14. Orders and regulations established by the council of the Society of Antiquaries; Concerning forms and proceedings to be henceforth observed in the transacting the business of The Society. 8vo. 35, [1]pp. No copies recorded in the US.

 

15. KING (Edward). A speech delivered by Edward King, Esq. President of the Society of Antiquaries of London...upon his quitting the Chair, in order to introduce the Right Honourable George Lord de Ferrars, now Earl of Leicester, as their future President. 4to. 12pp. London: by J. Nichols, [1784]. 4 copies only in the US (x2 at Walpole Library. 

 

16. Mr. King, after all that has passed...4to. Single sheet printed on the recto only. Folded and with the remains of sealing wax on the blank verso. Signed in manuscript "John Street / April 21st 1785".

 

17. Mr King thinks his Duty to his friends requires...4to. 2pp. 

 

18. Mr King presents his Compliments...Small 4to. [2]pp. With "Mr Way" entered in manuscript and signed at the end "John Street Bedford Row". [London, 1785]. 

 

19. [Officers of the Society of Antiquaries]. 4to. Single sheet printed on the recto only. 

 

20. A List of the Society of Antiquaries of London, April 14, [1785]. 4to. 8pp. [London, 1785]. With some manuscript underlining and a manuscript note of the Officers carefully preserved in the blank lower margin of the final leaf. Bodley only in ESTC.

 

21. FENN (Sir John). Three Chronological Tabes, exhibiting a State of the Society of Antiquaries of London...4to. 36pp. London, 1784.

 

22. A list of The Society of Antiquaries of London, April 30, [1790]. 4to. 8pp., drop-head title. [London, 1790]. Society of Antiquaries only in ESTC.  Bound between the two final leaves is a printed handbill "requesting the Favour of your Vote" by John Pridden and a single partial sheet from a list of Officers of the Society of Antiquaries. 

A large collection of printed works connect to the  Society of Antiquaries bound together for Benjamin Way. The collection includes not only antiquarian studies but rare lists and other documents/ephemera related to the running of the Society and the election of Fellows and the President including the "troublesome" presidency of Edward King.

 

Bound together for Benjamin Way (1740–1808), armorial bookplate on the front pastedown. Way was the son of Lewis Way, a director of the South Sea Company, and was educated at Eton, Christ Church Oxford and Inner Temple. Way lived at Denham Place in Buckinghamshire and was elected a member of the Royal Society in 1771 and Antiquaries in 1776. 

 

"Following the death of [Jeremiah] Milles in February 1784, [Edward] King was elected his successor as president of the society on the understanding that Lord De Ferrars (afterwards earl of Leicester) would assume office the following 23 April. During his short presidency King drew up a set of regulations for meetings and initiated a number of administrative reforms, including the appointment of two regular secretaries and a draughtsman, as well as making efforts to increase the revenues of the society by enforcing the collection of membership fees. When April came he sought re-election; he was, however, defeated by an overwhelming majority and was accused of underhand methods in attempting to secure his own election. His speech on quitting the society was printed in 1784, as was his letter vindicating his own conduct. His actions aroused little sympathy within the society (most of whom could see the advantage of having a peer of the realm as president) and prompted Samuel Pegge to comment that 'Edwd. King is a troublesome man, & the Society will do full as well without his Company at their meetings as with it' (letter, 16 Aug 1784, minute books of the Society of Antiquaries).

 

Bound at the end of this volume are numerous pieces of ephemera related to King's election highlighting some of the "underhand" methods used to convince other members.

 

Later Provenance: John Bolton (1756-1837), armorial bookplate on the front pastedown. 

Stock Code: 246146