Pedigrees, heraldry & genealogy etc.- Bigland (Ralph, herald and cheesemonger, Garter Principal King of Arms, 1712-84) Collection of pedigrees, petitions and notes on heraldry and genealogy, 50 manuscripts and 1 engraved pedigree, folds, browned, tipped-in on stubs, old bookseller's description on front pastedown and pencil inscription "Rodd M.S. 528" and Thomas Phillipps no. 20289, v.s., v.d., bound in early 19th century half calf, label on spine, covers slightly marked, folio, 1593, [17th - 18th centuries].

⁂ Includes: (1). manuscript preface for "Historical, Monumental and Genealogical Collections relative to the County of Gloucester (Gloucestershire)", 1783; (2). manuscript notice by Bigland as Somerset Herald refuting that there is any such institution called "The Office of Arms" other than the Heralds Office, December 1768; (3). Joseph Edmondson (bap. 1732, d. 1786), Mowbray Herald Extraordinary, herald and coach-painter, "Heraldry... Whereas one Joseph Edmondson... to publish an Alphabetical Description... of the Baronets... is not a Member of ye said Corporation [College of Arms] and that he has not any access to the Library, Records, &c, belonging thereto", [c. 1780s]; (4). manuscript certifying that Richard Hunt is employed by the College of Arms, 1781; Disbursements for Clarenceux's Patent R Bigland Senr, 1774; pedigree of the St John family, [17th century]; (5). pedigree "Extracted out of the ancient evidences of Alan Ayscough..." [Ayscoughs of Skeusby], latest date 1760; (6). pedigree of the Atkyns family of Gloucestershire; (7). pedigree of the Caldwell family, [18th century]; pedigree of the Chadwick family of Lancashire and Dublin, [18th century]; a letter relating to descent from Sir Cuthbert Collingwood, latest date 1747; (8). pedigree of the families of Caldwell and Firebrace, [18th century]; (9). note of the Galway family in a letter sent to Joseph Denison (c. 1726-1806), banker and landowner, May 1764; (10). pedigree of the Mowbray, Howard and Fitzalan families, [late 17th century]; (11). note relating to the descendants of Peter Mews (1619-1706), Bishop of Winchester, [c. 1760s]; (12). note on the church at Fairford, Gloucestershire, [18th century]; (13). note relating to Sir Charles Blount, Lord Mountjoy and Earl of Devonshire (1563-1606), soldier and administrator, favourite of Queen Elizabeth I etc.

Provenance: Thomas Rodd the younger (1796-1849), probably sold to Sir Thomas Phillipps.