Boswell, JamesBiblio.com
2.717 Ergebnisse
1884Best.-Nr. 247738London: George Bell & Sons 1884. Napier's Edition. Number 87 of 104 copies each signed by the Printer "Charles Whittingham & Co. Extensively extra-illustrated with 50 plates of portraits views maps and facsimile autographs including 2 fold-outs and an inserted portrait of Johnson. Also includes an inserted issue of the Herald Tribune Weekly Book review November 19 1944 reviewing Joseph Wood Krutch's Samuel Johnson. 10 vols. 4to. Bound in three quarters green morocoo and marbled boards t.e.g. Very Good with some discoloration to Vol. 1 Part 1 from the inserted newspaper and some minor foxing from plates. Napier's Edition. Number 87 of 104 copies each signed by the Printer "Charles Whittingham & Co". Extensively extra-illustrated with 50 plates of portraits views maps and facsimile autographs including 2 fold-outs and an inserted portrait of Johnson. Also includes an inserted issue of the Herald Tribune Weekly Book review November 19 1944 reviewing Joseph Wood Krutch's Samuel Johnson. 10 vols. 4to. George Bell & Sons took over Charles Whittingham Co. after Whittingham's death in 1876. An attractive copy with many beautiful illustrations. R. B. Adams v.2 p. 41 George Bell & Sons unknown
1835Best.-Nr. 65838Extra-Illustrated with Over 100 Engraved Plates BOSWELL James. The Life of Samuel Johnson LL.D. Including a Journal of His Tour to the Hebrides.To which are added anecdotes by Hawkins Piozzi Murphy Tyers Reynolds Steevens &c. And notes by various hands. London: John Murray 1835. Crokerís second edition revised by John Wright. Ten small octavo volumes including two volumes of Johnsoniana. Each volume with engraved frontispiece and vignette title. Extra-illustrated with over 100 engraved plates. Bound by Morrell of London in full tan polished calf. Gilt double-rule border on covers spines decoratively tooled in gilt in compartments with maroon and green morocco gilt lettering labels gilt board edges and turn-ins top edge gilt others uncut marbled endpapers. An about fine set. Pottle 92. HBS 65838. $2500 John Murray unknown books
1857Best.-Nr. 007803London: Richard Bentley 1857. A very handsome lavishly extra illustrated copy bound by Riviere and Son in full polished calf gilt spine and inner dentelles t.e.g. other edges uncut marbled end pages original boards and spine bound in Near Fine calf lightly rubbed at joints and tips. With 53 illustrations tipped in each with pencil notation verso denoting at which page to be added. Frontispiece portrait illustration of Boswell by Joshua Reynolds numerous other portraits including Samuel Johnson also by Joshua Reynolds Shakespeare from the Droeshout portrait engraved by J. Swaine for the First Folio Edition George I James II Voltaire Adam Smith Hugh Walpole Hume William Cowper William Penn George III and Joshua Reynolds among many others. Also with several engravings of different places including The New Bridge at Edinburgh Including Part of the Castle The Hague and Crescent Bath. A quite fascinating and unique copy. . First Edition. Full Calf. Near Fine/No Jacket As Issued. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Richard Bentley Hardcover books
1820Best.-Nr. 305112London G. Walker J. Akerman et al. 1820. 1820. 8vo. 2 folding engraved plates of facsimiles of Johnson's handwriting facing p.1 Volume I and facing p. 1 Volume IV Contemporary tan calf tooled in blind with a basket weave design two red morocco labels on the spine; marbled edges. A fine set. No foxing 4 volumes. With an Armorial swan design bookplate on the front pastedown of all volumes with motto: "Pandite" with a label signed: John Gibson Surgeon. Hardcover. Fine. London, G. Walker, J. Akerman, et al., 1820. hardcover books
1833Best.-Nr. 373861New York: James Dearborn 1833. Plates. 566pp. 8vo. Contemporary straight grained burgundy morocco by Desilver Jr. Herse & Lindsay with their ticket on the inside upper morocco hinge covers elaborately panelled in gilt an blind with a central sunken panel spine gilt in five compartments with the first third and fifth compartments sunken full morocco gilt doublures silk endpapers gilt edges small split along the upper front joint minor wear at extremities. Plates. 566pp. 8vo. A very unusual and elaborate American ticketed binding with full morocco doublures. Spawn 275 James Dearborn unknown
1835Best.-Nr. 65838London: John Murray 1835. JOHNSON Samuel; MORRELLWRIGHT JohnSTEEVENS GeorgePIOZZI Hester LynchREYNOLDS Sir JoshuaTYERS ThomasMURPHY ArthurHAWKINS Sir John. The Life of Samuel Johnson LL.D. Including a Journal of His Tour to the Hebrides.To which are added anecdotes by Hawkins Piozzi Murphy Tyers Reynolds Steevens &c. And notes by various hands. London: John Murray 1835. Croker's second edition revised by John Wright. Ten small octavo volumes including two volumes of Johnsoniana. Each volume with engraved frontispiece and vignette title. Extra-illustrated with over 100 engraved plates. Bound by Morrell of London in full tan polished calf. Gilt double-rule border on covers spines decoratively tooled in gilt in compartments with maroon and green morocco gilt lettering labels gilt board edges and turn-ins top edge gilt others uncut marbled endpapers. An about fine set. Pottle 92. HBS 65838. $2500. John Murray unknown
1900Best.-Nr. 153152London: Macmillan and Co. 1900. A handsomely bound example of the most celebrated biography in the English language. Octavo three volumes finely bound in three-quarters brown calf over orange cloth boards by Riviere for the Army and Navy with gilt titles and ruling to the spines in six compartments within raised bands gilt ruling to the front rear panels top edges gilt floral endpapers. From the library of the economist Oskar Morgenstern with his ownership inscription in ink to the first blank of the first volume "Oskar Morgenstern Weihnachten 1937 v. Mi" Christmas 1937 from Mi. Morgenstern recorded the gift in his diary on Christmas Day 1937 listing among the presents he found beneath the tree "Boswell's Life of Johnson 3 vols. magnificent leather Macmillan Classics" a work he had long wanted. Only weeks later he left Vienna for the United States where he settled at Princeton and collaborated with John von Neumann on Theory of Games and Economic Behavior 1944 the founding text of game theory and one of the most important works of twentieth-century economics. In very good condition with exceptional provenance. Boswell excelled in insight into human nature and in ability to dramatize a situation… It was a crucial part of Boswell's magic to give significance and vitality to the apparently trivial; it is this trait together with his notable accuracy and unparalleled completeness of portraiture that made him… 'the Shakespeare of biographers" Baugh et al. 1065-66. "One of Western literature's most germinal achievements: unprecedented in its time in its depth of research and its extensive use of private correspondence and recorded conversation." Gordon Turnbull Oxford DNB. Macmillan and Co. hardcover
1791Best.-Nr. 205744London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. First Edition. 1869 ownership signatures in each volume; chip to one margin in Vol. I about the size of a thumb-joint not affecting any text; maringal annotation to another page in Vol. I; some pages with creased corners and occasional marks scattered foxing -- not too obtrusive -- and some faint dampstains in lower margins; covers heavily rubbed. Two vols. 4tos; 516 & 588pp; contemporay mottled calf recased with spine label; inner hinges reinforced. First state of the classic work that founded the modern notion of biography with "gve" on p. 135 all cancels the fronispiece portrait after Sir Joshua Reynolds in Vol. I and the "Round Robin" and facsmile plates in Vol. II. A serviceable set. Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly unknown
1819Best.-Nr. 273419London: Printed for the Proprietors 1819. hardcover. near fine. 4 volumes. Extra illustrated with many portraits views and facsimiles some folding done in mezzotints copper engravings and some in sepia. Small 8vo 3/4 burgundy morocco ornately gilt spines top edges gilt cover on one volume faded. London: Printed for the Proprietors 1819. Near Fine. Printed for the Proprietors unknown books
1859Best.-Nr. 208973New York: Derby & Jackson 1859. New Edition. Hardcover. All 4 volumes Very Good in boards. Rubbing along panel edges. Foxing throughout beginning and ends of each volumes' texts. Derby & Jackson hardcover
Best.-Nr. 000051London 1835. First Edition thus - 3/4 red morocco marbled endpapers. Engraved frontis/title page 8vo. 10 volumes. A lovely set bound in 3/4 red morocco spines with raised bands gold ornaments and letteringt.e.g. A few hinges tender but otherwise a beautiful set. London, 1835. hardcover
1819Best.-Nr. 273419London: Printed for the Proprietors 1819. hardcover. near fine. 4 volumes. Extra illustrated with many portraits views and facsimiles some folding done in mezzotints copper engravings and some in sepia. Small 8vo 3/4 burgundy morocco ornately gilt spines top edges gilt cover on one volume faded. London: Printed for the Proprietors 1819. Near Fine. Printed for the Proprietors unknown
1928Best.-Nr. 39James Boswell's natural and open style is hardly matched in the history of English. Sam Johnsons's biography is his masterpiece; In his lifetime however he published many other books and memoirs and they are still a delight to read. In the 1920s a renewed interest in Boswell was generated with the discovery of his private papers in Malahide Castle north of Dublin. This discovery by a wealthy American collector Ralph Isham and then the publication of them in a limited delux edition designed by the American icon of book design the typograher Bruce Rogers is a story in itself and often told. Rogers used a Baskerville font. The printing is and clean bold and deep on the fine handmade paper of the text. Baskerville type evoked the time said Rogers. The volume has many reproductions of the leaves from Boswell's the journals. Using a modified aquatone Rogers and Rudge were able to print ultra-detailed plates of the original documents from photos and at least as important to print them on the toothed handmade paper of the text itself previously not feasable. Adding to the prints on the handmade Maidstone paper of the text each volume has at least one tipped in facsimile leaf folded as orig and printed on a separate period paper. Indeed if the original leaf is missing a segment so does the replica leaf. On at least two there are replica wax seals attached. This series is a now an iconic example of American twentieth fine presswork. Rogers's requirements and the quality of the Rudge printing and binding operation made this set very expensive to produce and to buy. And then the depression happened. The eighteen volume set was issued in 1928 and ending in 1934: the project began in the Roarin Twenties and ended in the heart of the Great Depression with disasterous financial consequences. The price tag per vol was nearly $1000 adjusted so $18000 for the subscription. Subscriptions dried up as the depression worsened and many existing subscribers bailed by some means or another. This 18vol set is one of many with pristine later vols. and opened earlier vols. Attributed to buyer faitigue or personal factors it is aso the case that Rogers and Rudge made sets from the many remaining copies at the project's finish. PHOTOS: portrait of Boswell from "A New Portrait"; Landscape by Boswell printed in first vol.; Portrait of Zelda and various inserted facsimile leaves as examples of reproduction. companion volumes. This set inludes the three companion usually inluded with the original 18 to complete the set Index to the Papers of James Boswell NY & London 1837 600 printed for subscribers Catalogue of the Papers of James Boswell Pottle and Pottle London and New York 1931 415 copies printed by Rudge Boswell's Tour to the Hebrides NY 1936 with prospectus: the manuscript was put into print too late for thr Roger's printing. uniformly bound and boxed copy 383/490 other items. A new Portrait of James Boswell Tinker and Pottle Cambridge 1927 17 pgs with a fine cored frts. and 9 additional plates on a fine printing designed by Rogers makes pair with the similarly bound and produced Johnson Meddallion The Wedgewood Medallion of Samuel Johnson Tinker Cambridge 1926 385 copies designed by Rogers with a beautiful frts. and 7 additional plates Magnificant Obsession Auchincloss NY The Typophiles a fine printing itsel with a detaied account of the printing of the Private Papers red paper wraps fine Ephemera found in vol 4 a newspaper clipping of Isham's obituary and a reminder to return slip from the Yale Club Library the aftermath Yale purchased all of Boswell's papers. The papers were extensively edited and accompanied with notes and thery first volume "The London Journal" was published in a trade editioan in 1950. It was best seller and its sales and popularity held thruoughout the following 12 volumes. Boswell's easy manner and canid personal and sexual reflections seemed revelatory. Besides this he was obsessed with royalty and all top tier celebrties of his time and it all ended up in the diaries. On his deathbead the agnostic Hume told Boswell he feared death not the least - to which Johnson replied it was a lie. He recounts his affair with Rousseau's mistress. Hume Voltaire RiedHis Private Papers turned out to be a fraught project for the fortunes of Ralph Isham but the discovery and contents opened a fresh window on his time and its figures and introduced a fresh way of thinking about biography and history. condition; The "other items" are fine. In the "Companion Volumes" the volumes are very good to fine The slipcases are worn and that of of the Index is bumped and has minor seperation splitting. The Journal and is slipcase are very good. The 18vol Isham Set: Volumes 9 to 18 are uncut. Save occasional sunning the are near fine. Volumes 7 & 8 some sunning o/w very good. Vols 1 to six are all very good to fine. The slipcases had begun to seperate and were spot reglued but all original and range from fair to good to fine. a binder would note that the famed Edith Diehl was managing the Rudge bindery at this time she being the premier American binder at the time. The first six volumes have full paper covered cases i.e.covers and full paper covered slipcases as well. Beginning with vol.7 there is a change to a thin linen cloth spine strip with the boards retaining the papersides. The slipcases remained paper only. It's possible the ill-judged decision to have paper hinges had already shown breakage in well read early volumes. No damage in this set. More uniform dimensions are also introduced. The volumes are perfectly constructed to open freely and securely. If in another universe these volumes had been covered in a strong linen cloth they could be enjoyed on the subway today! Slipcases are a different matter. These are assembled from three edges and two sides of thin board glued at the joins. Full thin paper covers are alone not up the job of securing these pieces for centuries. still this set has a very good appearance overall. William Edwin Rudge hardcover
1791Best.-Nr. 86766London: By Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. First edition. Hardcover. Some foxing and toning repair to front hinge of vol.II some ink ownership markings to title-pages; rebacked some wear to covers. No jacket. Stipple-engraved portrait by Heath after Reynolds 2 engraved plates of facsimiles. First edition first issue with "gve" on page 135 line 10 of volume I. 2 vols. 4to. Contemporary half calf rebacked in later calf with some matching recornering. Boswell's renowned sometimes hagiographical portrayal of Dr Samuel Johnson the great lexicographer moralist and wit of the 18th century. It is often considered one of the greatest biographies ever written in the English language. By Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly hardcover
1793Best.-Nr. 9032052London: Printed by Henry Baldwin 1793. 2nd. Hardcover. Very Good. Second edition revised and augmented." Subtitle reads "Comprehending An Account Of His Studies And Numerous Works In Chronological Order; A Series Of His Epistolary Correspondence And Conversations With Many Eminent Persons; And Various Original Pieces Of His Composition Never Before Published." Beautifully bound in leather with spines stamped in gilt leather labels stamped in gilt and covers blind-stamped with rules. The whole set is in remarkable condition. Text blocks are clean and bright with sharp corners bindings have only the most minimal wear to extremities. Gorgeous. 5 1/4 x 8 1/4 inches. 1948 total pages. Printed by Henry Baldwin hardcover
1791Best.-Nr. 1948234Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly in the Poultry 1791 1791. Hardcover. Used-Very Good. Early full calf rebacked preserving original spines. Some wear to binding but nicely restored and preserved. First edition second state with give corected at p. 135. Engraved portrait in vol. I; two engraved plates in volume II. Text is clean and clear with wide margins. No bookplates or other ownership markings. A very sound and attractive copy. Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly in the Poultry, 1791 hardcover
1937Best.-Nr. 301136New York: William Edwin Rudge; The Viking Press 1937. One of 570 numbered copies this being no. 252 designed by Bruce Rogers. Numerous aquatone facsimiles of original manuscripts by Boswell. 20 vols. 4to and Folio. Red boards printed spine labels. very good plus set in original boxes some sunning to box spines box to vol. 4 with a few splits. One of 570 numbered copies this being no. 252 designed by Bruce Rogers. Numerous aquatone facsimiles of original manuscripts by Boswell. 20 vols. 4to and Folio. [William Edwin Rudge; The Viking Press] unknown books
1937Best.-Nr. 301136New York: William Edwin Rudge; The Viking Press 1937. One of 570 numbered copies this being no. 252 designed by Bruce Rogers. Numerous aquatone facsimiles of original manuscripts by Boswell. 20 vols. 4to and Folio. Red boards printed spine labels. very good plus set in original boxes some sunning to box spines box to vol. 4 with a few splits. One of 570 numbered copies this being no. 252 designed by Bruce Rogers. Numerous aquatone facsimiles of original manuscripts by Boswell. 20 vols. 4to and Folio. This set was designed by Bruce Rogers in the last of his eight years at William Rudge's plant. The acquisition of the papers by Isham is itself a terrific story. Suffice it to say that in 1928 the collection was reluctantly sold by a Lord Talbot and his wife one of Boswell's great-granddaughters to Lt. Col. Isham long after they had been presumed destroyed and then discovered in various remote cabinets and chests in Ireland and Scotland. After his great acquisition Isham wanted a sumptuous format for the collection and negotiated a deal with William Edwin Rudge. Bruce Rogers was assigned the task of designing the format and produced a set of volumes that are "magnificent examples of the arts of the printed book. They are surely the most impressive single monument of the Rudge/Rogers association." Blumenthal pp. 104-5. James Van Alen had provided the financial backing that made possible the purchase of the Boswell papers; "without Van Alen's backing and continuing forbearance Isham could never have completed his private edition let alone tackled the acquisition of the Fettercairn papers and the later finds at Malahide . without Van Alen the scattered archives of James Boswell would probably never have been fully reassembled" David Buchanan The Treasure of Auchinleck. The Story of the Boswell Papers. New York: McGraw-Hill 1974. [William Edwin Rudge; The Viking Press] unknown
1822Best.-Nr. 21333London: Printed for T. Cadell; F.C. And J. Rivington; Longman Hurst Rees Orme and Brown; Baldwin Cradock and Joy; et al 1822. Book. Near Fine. Full Leather in Box. Ninth Edition Revised and Augmented. Octavo. 4 Volumes. Pp. 36 441; 462; 446; 495. Unique edition extra illustrated with relevant engravings from various sources tissue-uarded frontispiece in each volume 200 illustrations in all includes 18 mostly hand-coloured plates and 2 folding facsimiles all inserted at appropriate spots. Full russet coloured smooth calf gilt stamped illustration of Johnson in the upper corners of both front and rear covers with gilt facsimile signature in the bottom corners triple ruled 5 raised bands ornate gilt to spine panels leather spine labels top edge gilt others deckled gilt dentelles marbled endpapers. Bound by Sangorski and Sutcliffe London. Volume 1 has a bit of staining to the leather of the rear panel otherwise all volumes are in near fine condition all individually housed in very good linen clamshell boxes with gilt-stamped leather spines. A near fine unique set. Printed for T. Cadell; F.C. And J. Rivington; Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown; Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy; et al Hardcover
1791Best.-Nr. 6914London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. First Edition First Printing. Rebound in Full Leather. First edition first printing with "gve" for "give" on page 135. Measuring approximately 10.75" x 9" with 516 & 588 numbered pages. Finely bound in full leather with marbled endsheets. Housed in a custom cloth slipcase. These volumes are in very good condition. Moderate darkening and cracking to the leather on the spines. Moderate wear to the board edges. Frontispiece in volume one is offered in facsimile. Several scattered instances of marginalia from a previous owner. Samuel Johnson 1709–1784 was an English writer who made lasting contributions as a poet playwright essayist moralist literary critic sermonist biographer editor and lexicographer. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography calls him "arguably the most distinguished man of letters in English history" Please view the many other rare titles available for purchase at our store. We are always interested in purchasing individual or collections of fine books. Inventory # P1-98. Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly unknown
1791Best.-Nr. 303654London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. First edition "gve" uncorrected at line 10 on p. 135 in vol. I and with the usual cancels Mm4 and Nn1 in vol. I E3 Oo4 Qq3 in vol. II. Engraved portrait by J. Heath after Joshua Reynolds 2 other engraved plates. xii 16 516; 2 588 i.e. 586 pp. 2 vols. 4to. Old calf a.e.g. Neatly rebacked with gilt spines in period style. Bookplates of Nicholas Frederic Brady. Near fine occasional light traces of foxing. First edition "gve" uncorrected at line 10 on p. 135 in vol. I and with the usual cancels Mm4 and Nn1 in vol. I E3 Oo4 Qq3 in vol. II. Engraved portrait by J. Heath after Joshua Reynolds 2 other engraved plates. xii 16 516; 2 588 i.e. 586 pp. 2 vols. 4to. Pottle 79; Rothschild 463; Grolier English 131 Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly unknown books
1791Best.-Nr. 205744London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. First Edition. 1869 ownership signatures in each volume; chip to one margin in Vol. I about the size of a thumb-joint not affecting any text; maringal annotation to another page in Vol. I; some pages with creased corners and occasional marks scattered foxing -- not too obtrusive -- and some faint dampstains in lower margins; covers heavily rubbed. Two vols. 4tos; 516 & 588pp; contemporay mottled calf recased with spine label; inner hinges reinforced. First state of the classic work that founded the modern notion of biography with "gve" on p. 135 all cancels the fronispiece portrait after Sir Joshua Reynolds in Vol. I and the "Round Robin" and facsmile plates in Vol. II. A serviceable set. Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly unknown books
1791Best.-Nr. 303654London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. First edition "gve" uncorrected at line 10 on p. 135 in vol. I and with the usual cancels Mm4 and Nn1 in vol. I E3 Oo4 Qq3 in vol. II. Engraved portrait by J. Heath after Joshua Reynolds 2 other engraved plates. xii 16 516; 2 588 i.e. 586 pp. 2 vols. 4to. Old calf a.e.g. Neatly rebacked with gilt spines in period style. Bookplates of Nicholas Frederic Brady. Near fine occasional light traces of foxing. First edition "gve" uncorrected at line 10 on p. 135 in vol. I and with the usual cancels Mm4 and Nn1 in vol. I E3 Oo4 Qq3 in vol. II. Engraved portrait by J. Heath after Joshua Reynolds 2 other engraved plates. xii 16 516; 2 588 i.e. 586 pp. 2 vols. 4to. Pottle 79; Rothschild 463; Grolier English 131 Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly unknown
1791Best.-Nr. 38111London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly in the Poultry 1791. 1st edition 1st issue Grolier 100 ENGLISH #65; Pottle 79. 20th C. speckled brown half-calf with tan paper boards. Maroon title labels in second compartment. Modest binding wear. Prior owner pencil marginalia to Vol I p. 394 commenting on the neighboring text regarding females in service. Occasional light foxing primarily to preliminaries. Withal a VG set. 2 volumes: xii 16 516 2 blank; 4 586 pp. Vol II p 585 misnumbered 587; 586 as 588. Other mispaginations see Pottle. Vol I p. 135 with 'gve'. Volume I with stipple-engraved frontis of Johnson by James Heath after the 1756 painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Vol II with two engraved facsimiles. 4to: A6 A-B4 B - 3T4 3U2; B - 4E4 4F1. Vol I: 2M4 & 2N1 cancels. Vol II: 5 cancelled leaves as per Pottle. 10-7/8" x 8-1/2" Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in the Poultry hardcover books
1791Best.-Nr. 13388London: printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. First edition mixed first and second issue with ‘give’ on p.135 of the first volume but with some of the attributes of the first issuem ie Mm4 in Volume I and E3 and Eee2 in Volume II are cancels. Engraved frontispiece portrait of Johnson by Heath after Reynolds 2 engraved plates of facsimiles by H. Shepherd. 4to. bound in contemporary calf elegantly rebacked and reinforced at the edges with calf with red morocco spine labels and gilt tooling a few bupes and scratchings to boards but generally a very handsome copy.According to the bibliographer Pottle the ‘gve’ which is meant to denote the first issue is a rather overegged: “booksellers have given this rather uninteresting ‘point’ more attention than it deserves. There are probably varying states of some of the other leaves” hence this rather confusing half first/half second issue. It might be more realistic to call this a first edition and have done with it. ‘Boswell's Life of Johnson is one of the best books in the world. It is assuredly a great very great work. Homer is not more decidedly the first of Heroic Poets - Shakespeare is not more decidedly the first of Orators than Boswell is the first of Biographers. We are not sure that there is in the whole history of the human intellect so singular a phenomenon as this book. Many of the greatest men that ever lived have written biography; Boswell was one of the smallest men that ever lived and he has beaten them all’ Macaulay in the Edinburgh Review 1831 ap. Allibone. W. Jackson Bate Johnson's best modern biographer assessed Boswell's achievement in this way: ‘It was to be a new kind of biography - a life in Scenes as though it were a kind of drama. And when this life in Scenes did appear nothing comparable to it had existed. Nor has anything comparable been written since because that special union of talents opportunities and subject matter has never been duplicated. If there were writers who had Boswell's opportunities of knowing their subject as well they have not had his unusual combination of talents. If they had his talents they have lacked his opportunities. The talents include his gift for empathy and dramatic imitation his ability to draw people out and get them to talk freely his astonishing memory for conversations his zest and gusto his generous capacity for admiration and his sheer industry as a reporter - qualities that are by no means often found together. Whatever its limitations the work remains unique among all writings by one human being about another in the drama fidelity and range of interests in the conversation of one of the most fascinating individuals in history Samuel Johnson’ N. Y.: Harcourt Brace 1977 pp. 365-366. Our copy has the original invoice to one James Turner dated 1903 from Ye Olde Boke Shoppe in Leeds and an additional portrait of Johnson.Adam 2:37; Courtney 172-173; Grolier English 65; Pottle 79; Rothschild 463-465. The greatest biography in the English language – a remarkable untrimmed copy in contemporary boards printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly hardcover
