Potter & Potter Auctions
Live Auction

The Ricky Jay Collection

Sat, Feb 25, 2023 12:00PM EST
Lot 338

[TOFT, Mary (1701 – 63)] Five Pamphlets Regarding Mary Toft...

Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$30 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $200
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
[TOFT, Mary (1701 ? 63)] Five Pamphlets Regarding Mary Toft, the Pretended Rabbit Breeder. A Sammelband, comprising of: SAINT ANDRE, Nathaniel. A Short Narrative of an Extraordinary Delivery of Rabbets. London: Printed for John Clarke, 1727 - - AHLERS, Cyriacus. Some Observations Concerning The Woman of Godlyman in Surrey. London: Printed for J. Jackson, 1726 - - GULLIVER, Lemuel. The Anatomist Dissected: or the Man-Midwife Finely Brought to Bed. Being an Examination of the Conduct of Mr. St. Andre. Westminster: Printed by and for A. Campbell, 1727 - - MANNINGHAM, Sir Richard. An Exact Diary of what was Observ?d during a Close Attendance upon Mary Toft, the pretended Rabbet-Breeder? London: Printed for Fletcher Gyles 1726 - - DOUGLAS, J. An Advertisement Occasion?d by Some Passages in Sir R. Manningham?s Diary Lately Publish?d. London: Printed for J. Roberts, 1727. Bound together in one-quarter calf over marbled boards with gilt-lettered morocco spine label. Front hinge cracked, minor chips to extremities, generally clean internally with some scattered foxing and browning. A choice gathering of scarce pamphlets regarding this famous hoax. In 1726, Mary Toft became the focal point of considerable controversy ? as discussed in these works ? when she convinced several doctors she had given birth to a host of rabbits. She later confessed to the hoax, but not after achieving at least some modicum of fame and notoriety.