2.717 Ergebnisse
Best.-Nr. 03432London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791-93. First Edition First Issue of Boswell's Life Of Johnson Together With The Excessively Rare 'The Principal Corrections and Additions' Bound in at the End of Volume Two BOSWELL James. The Life of Samuel Johnson LL.D. 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. The Whole Exhibiting a View of Literature and Literary Men in Great-Britain for Near Half a Century during which He Flourished. In Two Volumes. London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. First edition first issue with "gve" for "give" in the uncorrected state line 10 on p. 135 in Volume I and all of the errata uncorrected. Two quarto volumes 10 3/4 x 8 7/16 inches; 274 x 216 mm. vii 1 blank ix-xii 16 "Table of Contents" and "Corrections and Additions" 516; 2 588 i.e. 586 pp. Engraved frontispiece by James Heath from a portrait of Johnson by Sir Joshua Reynolds in Volume I two engraved facsimile plates in Volume II. "Round Robin." facing p. 92 and "Fac Similes of Dr. Johnson's hand writing" facing p. 588. Together with at the end of volume II BOSWELL James. The Principal Corrections and Additions to the first edition of Mr. Boswell's Life of Dr. Johnson. London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1793. Title verso blank 42 pp. Bound by Rivière & Son ca. 1910 in full mottled calf covers with triple gilt rules. Spines with five raised bands decoratively tooled in gilt in compartments red and brown morocco labels lettered in gilt gilt ruled board edges decorative gilt turn-ins marbled end-papers all edges gilt. Expertly rebacked and corners strengthened over fifty years ago with original spines laid down. Occasional light foxing or staining to a few leaves otherwise a fine copy of the first issue with the exceptionally rare Principal Corrections and Additions bound in at the end of volume two. "The work The Principal Corrections and Additions is now difficult to obtain; when it turns up it is almost invariably bound in with a copy of the first edition of the Life." Pottle p. 212. The 'gve' or 'give' question. "Of the four copies in the British Museum two have one reading and two the other. There can be little doubt that 'gve' is the earlier state. The first proof shows the word correctly spelled but the lines are punctuated as follows: 'Short O short! then be thy reign "And give us to the world again.' Boswell passed this in the proof but in the revise both proof and revise are in the possession of Mr. Adam he directed the printer to remove the exclamation point in the first line and substitute it for the first period at the end of the second which is in fact the punctuation of the printed text. When the changes were made the 'i' dropped out and the printer not noticing what had happened filled up the line by inserting a space between 'gve' and 'us'. After a considerable part of the edition had been printed the error was discovered and corrected in the press." Frederick Albert Pottle. The Literary Career of James Boswell p. 151. The correct first issue as here reads" "Short O short then be thy reign "And gve us to the world again!" Boswell's biography of Johnson is a classic of the genre—a full candid account of the life of one of the most famous eighteenth-century writers and thinkers by another. "The Life of Johnson was no single book miraculously produced by an inexperienced author. It was the crowning achievement of an artist who for more than twenty-five years had been deliberately disciplining himself for such a task" Pottle p. xxi. Courtney & Nichol Smith pp. 172-3. Grolier 100 English 65. Pottle 79 & 113. Rothschild 464 & 466. Sterling 71. Tinker 338. London: Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, 1791-93 unknown books
1791Best.-Nr. 116527London: Henry Baldwin 1791. First. hardcover. near fine. The whole exhibiting a view of literature and literary men in Great Britain for near half a century during which he flourished. 2 volumes. Engraved frontispiece portrait. Thick 4to handsomely rebound in 3/4 red morocco; gilt-decorated spines with raised bands a.e.g. London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. First Edition later issue. Fine. Final three pages of vol. II mispaginated. Henry Baldwin unknown
1791Best.-Nr. 19741791. All Pottle's Points in a Fine Early Issue Copy of the First Ed Boswell James. THE LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON. London 1791. 1st Edition. 2 volumes quarto early gilt 1/2 calf over old marbled boards. Wear to the board edges the marbled papers of the boards quite rubbed the front hinge of Vol 1 weakened a bit of wear to the spine ends the internals Fine. Vol 1 with engraved frontispiece portrait by Heath after Reynolds Title page blank on reverse i-ii Dedication to Sir Joshua Reynolds iii-vii with blank reverse Advertisement ix-xii Alphabetical Table of Contents to Both Volumes unnumbered which would be xiii-xxvii Corrections and Additions on reverse of last leaf would be xxviii text pp 1-516. With the "gve" reading on page 135 line 10 and the cancels at pp 271-2 and 273-4 Mm and Nn with stubs. The misprints noted by Pottle at page 152 of "The Literary Career of James Boswell" are all present in this copy. Vol 2 with title page blank on reverse and 586pp. wrongly numbered 588 plus the facsimiles facing pp 92 and 588 i.e. the last page. All of the pagination misnumberings noted by Pottle on his p. 153 are present. Cancels are present with stubs at pages 29-30 E 287-8 O o 301-2 Q q 353-4 Zz1 and 395-6 E ee2. All of the misprints noted by Pottle on his page 155 are present. As Pottle believed some of these misprints may have been corrected making two states for the leaf these are all first state. Both volumes with the bookplate of Westport House Mayo County Ireland; seat of the Marquesses of Sligo noting case and shelf number. Bound in at the end of Volume 2 are "The Principal Corrections and Additions to the First Edition of Mr. Boswell's Life of Dr. Johnson" issued in 1793 with Title blank reverse and pp. 1-42. The leaves of this copy measure 10 13/16" x 8 1/4" as against Pottle's measurements for an "entirely uncut copy" of 11 13/16" x 9". hardcover
1791Best.-Nr. BSWeBOSW5London: Printed By Henry Baldwin For Charles Dilly 1791. 1791. 2 Volumes. 4to. pp. xii 16contents & errata 516; 1 p.l. 588 ie. 586. engraved frontis. portrait of Johnson by J.Heath after a painting by Joshua Reynolds. 2 engraved plates facsimiles of Johnson's handwriting & a 'Round Robin' with facsimiles of signatures. contemporary sprinkled calf rebacked corners renewed some light scattered foxing throughout - frontis. more heavily affected lower blank corner of final leaf defective. First Edition of the most celebrated biography in English literature with S4r Vol. I in the corrected state reading in line 10 'give' rather than 'gve'; with all the cancels 2 in Vol. I & 5 in Vol. II and misprints listed by Pottle. Grolier One Hundred Books Famous In English Literature 65. NCBEL II 1214. Pottle 79. Rothschild 463 1st Issue. F. London: Printed By Henry Baldwin, For Charles Dilly, 1791. unknown
1887Best.-Nr. 1249881887. JOHNSON Samuel BOSWELL James. Boswell's Life of Johnson including Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides and Johnson's Diary of a Journey into North Wales. Oxford: Clarendon 1887. Six volumes bound in eleven. Octavo contemporary full navy morocco gilt raised bands top edges gilt uncut. $11000.First George Birkbeck Hill edition of Boswell's Life of Johnson and Johnson's travels extra-illustrated with 1153 finely engraved portraits views maps and facsimiles including many proofs on India paper and facsimile of handwritten note by Hill tipped in. Handsomely bound in full morocco by Riviere & Son.Hill was a renowned Johnsonian scholar; when the Clarendon Press brought out this six-volume set in 1887 ""the edition was accepted as a masterpiece of spacious editing. The index forming the sixth volume is a monument of industry and completeness"" DNB. ""The fascination of Boswell and Johnson's dialogue that dialogue of mind heart and voice round which Boswell organized his great Life is that it is not merely between two very different men but between two epochs. In its pages Romantic Europe speaks to Renaissance Europe and is answered"" Wain 229. Due to the profusion of added plates portraits and facsimiles each of the five text volumes were divided into two volumes for a total of 11 volumes the index volume is not extra-illustrated. Interiors and added plates clean and fine. Volume I Part I and Volume III Part I expertly rebacked with original spine neatly laid down a few other joints slightly tender or with minor reinforcements bindings sound. A very handsome and lavishly extra-illustrated set in excellent condition. hardcover
1791Best.-Nr. 124524London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly in The Poultry 1791. First edition first issue of both volumes of the most celebrated biography in the English language which was published on May 16 1791 in a print run of only 1750 copies. Quarto bound in full calf gilt titles to the spine morocco spine labels. Frontispiece portrait of Samuel Johnson engraved by J. Heath after the Sir Joshua Reynolds 1756 painting. In very good condition. An excellent example of this landmark work. 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. Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in The Poultry unknown books
1791Best.-Nr. 1704207Baldwin for Dilly 1791. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. First edition first issue with "gve" for "give" on page 135 line 10 in what may be the incredibly scarce original boards. Two volumes quarto. Very good. Some soiling to pages of the second volume. Housed in a custom-made collector's slipcase. This copy has an extra full page frontispiece portrait of Boswell in the second volume not called for in the bibliographies. Baldwin, for Dilly hardcover books
1791Best.-Nr. 68052London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. JOHNSON Samuel. D. 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. The whole exhibiting a view of literature and literary men in Great-Britain for near half a century during which he flourished. In two volumes. London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. Full Description: BOSWELL James. The Life of Samuel Johnson LL.D. 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. The whole exhibiting a view of literature and literary men in Great-Britain for near half a century during which he flourished. In two volumes. London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. First edition first issue with "give" spelled "gve" in line 10 on p. 135 of Volume I and with all of the peculiarities cited by Pottle for the first issue including the several uncorrected errors listed for Volume II and the various cancels. Two quarto volumes 11 3/4 x 9 1/16 inches; 297 x 230 mm.; the same dimensions Pottle gives for 'an entirely uncut copy' . xii 16 516; 2 588 i.e. 586 pp. Engraved frontispiece portrait by James Heath after Sir Joshua Reynolds in Volume I two engraved facsimile plates in Volume II. Bound without the front blank in Volume II. Contemporary half calf over marbled boards. Neatly rebacked to style preserving the original gilt spine and burgundy and black morocco gilt lettering labels. A few minor marginal paper flaws not affecting text. Some rubbing to boards and light tip wear. Overall a fine set in the original binding and entirely uncut Courtney & Nichol Smith pp. 172-173. Grolier 100 English 65. Pottle 79. Rothschild 463-465. Sterling 71. Tinker 338. HBS 68052. $15000. Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly unknown
1791Best.-Nr. 120374London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly in The Poultry 1791. First edition first issue of both volumes of the most celebrated biography in the English language which was published on May 16 1791 in a print run of only 1750 copies. Quarto bound in full morocco by Birdsall gilt titles and tooling to the spine raised bands inner dentelles all edges gilt. Frontispiece portrait of Samuel Johnson engraved by J. Heath after the Sir Joshua Reynolds 1756 painting. Housed in a custom clamshell box. In fine condition. An excellent example of this landmark work. 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. Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in The Poultry hardcover books
1791Best.-Nr. 120374London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly in The Poultry 1791. First edition first issue of both volumes of the most celebrated biography in the English language which was published on May 16 1791 in a print run of only 1750 copies. Quarto bound in full morocco by Birdsall gilt titles and tooling to the spine raised bands inner dentelles all edges gilt. Frontispiece portrait of Samuel Johnson engraved by J. Heath after the Sir Joshua Reynolds 1756 painting. Housed in a custom clamshell box. In fine condition. An excellent example of this landmark work. “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. Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in The Poultry hardcover
1791Best.-Nr. 68052"An Uncut Copy" BOSWELL James. The Life of Samuel Johnson LL.D. 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. The whole exhibiting a view of literature and literary men in Great-Britain for near half a century during which he flourished. In two volumes. London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. First edition first issue with ìgiveî spelled ìgveî in line 10 on p. 135 of Volume I and with all of the peculiarities cited by Pottle for the first issue including the several uncorrected errors listed for Volume II and the various cancels. Two quarto volumes 11 3/4 x 9 1/16 inches; 297 x 230 mm.; the same dimensions Pottle gives for 'an entirely uncut copy' . xii 16 516; 2 588 i.e. 586 pp. Engraved frontispiece portrait by James Heath after Sir Joshua Reynolds in Volume I two engraved facsimile plates in Volume II. Bound without the front blank in Volume II. Contemporary half calf over marbled boards. Neatly rebacked to style preserving the original gilt spine and burgundy and black morocco gilt lettering labels. A few minor marginal paper flaws not affecting text. Some rubbing to boards and light tip wear. Overall a fine set in the original binding and entirely uncut Courtney & Nichol Smith pp. 172-173. Grolier 100 English 65. Pottle 79. Rothschild 463-465. Sterling 71. Tinker 338. HBS 68052. $17500 Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly hardcover books
1791Best.-Nr. 80005London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly in The Poultry 1791. First edition first issue of both volumes of the most celebrated biography in the English language which was published on May 16 1791 in a print run of only 1750 copies. Quarto bound in contemporary half calf over marbled boards. Frontispiece portrait of Samuel Johnson engraved by J. Heath after the Sir Joshua Reynolds 1756 painting. Volume one is the first state with the word "give" reading on page 135 line 10. First state of volume two with two engraved illustrations "The Round Robin" at p. 92 and the "facsimiles" of Dr. Johnson's handwriting on p. 588. In near fine condition with light toning an excellent example of this landmark work. 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. Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in The Poultry hardcover books
1791Best.-Nr. 80005London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly in The Poultry 1791. First edition first issue of both volumes of the most celebrated biography in the English language which was published on May 16 1791 in a print run of only 1750 copies. Quarto bound in contemporary half calf over marbled boards. Frontispiece portrait of Samuel Johnson engraved by J. Heath after the Sir Joshua Reynolds 1756 painting. Volume one is the first state with the word “give” reading on page 135 line 10. First state of volume two with two engraved illustrations “The Round Robin” at p. 92 and the “facsimiles” of Dr. Johnson's handwriting on p. 588. In near fine condition with light toning an excellent example of this landmark work. “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. Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in The Poultry hardcover
1791Best.-Nr. 10227London: printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. First edition first state with ‘gve’ on p.135 of the first volume; Mm4 and Nn1 in Volume I and E3 Qq3 and Eee2 in Volume II are cancels. 4to 203 x 295 mm; untrimmed engraved portrait of Johnson by James Heath after Sir Joshua Reynolds browned 2 engraved plates of facsimiles by H. Shepherd. An extraordinary copy in contemporary half calf and the original publisher’s boards and with the edges of the paper all uncut to the extent that it is an exceptional tall copy almost a large paper copy morocco spine labels. Hinges cracked scattered foxing a few trifling stains boards somewhat worn and fragile preserved in a brown cloth chemise and half morocco slipcase. Booklabels of W. Strong 1p. ALS from J. Parsons to him laid in and ink signature of J. Robinson in Volume I. Accompanied by The London Chronicle No. 5414 for May 5 1791 which prints an advertisement for the book.W. Strong is addressed in the letter as Rev.d Archdeacon Strong – he has used the blank page of the letter to make notes on volume II of the book and has added some notes on the front pastedown and on another small sheet which is inserted loose. ‘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. 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
1791Best.-Nr. ST20798London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. FIRST EDITION First State with "gve" reading on p. 135. 267 x 210 mm. 10 1/2 x 8 1/4". Two volumes expanded to eight. ORNATE AND SUBSTANTIAL 19TH CENTURY FOREST GREEN STRAIGHT-GRAIN MOROCCO covers with a gilt French fillet raised bands spines and some corners renewed with considerable skill their compartments with urn centerpieces flanked by scrolling foliage turn-ins gilt tooled marbled endpapers all edges gilt. First volume with an engraved frontispiece EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED WITH A TOTAL OF 919 PLATES 96 of them hand colored. Each volume with an added facsimile title page. Pottle 79; Day "History of English Literature 1660-1837" pp. 164-65. Boards with a few dark spots mostly where chafing has been covered with dye the hinge at the front of seven volumes with paper covering gone two other hinges partly affected but everything still very tight; some never serious offsetting from plates intermittent minor foxing a handful of leaves in Vol I. Part IV with a repaired open tear to upper margin other trivial defects but still a set with very considerable appeal--full of visual interest internally and looking quite grand in a substantial row. Although there are no signs of ownership this is the elegantly bound Jacques Levy copy of what is often considered to be the greatest biography in any language--extra-illustrated here with an enormous number of plates. James Boswell 1740-95 was a personal friend of his subject the main reason that this work proved to be the architect of his enduring reputation. It is a tribute to Boswell's skill as a biographer that the bulk of the text is made up of accounts by the author of situations that he himself created so that his subject would be prompted to behave in a revealing and memorable way. Day tells us that Boswell "was a consummate impresario stage-managing the setting and 'dramatis personae' amidst which Johnson would glitter and then providing topics and opinions to elicit the magnificent rejoinders of Johnson." The result is that we see an unforgettable portrait of a man who was flawed as well as brilliant--in Day's words "the most fully realized figure the most three-dimensional character in literature." Our previous owner New York bibliophile Jacques Levy d. 1980 first began buying on a whim while in Paris for business. He spent the next 40 years building an impressive and eclectic library which included travel literature illustrated books and fine bindings. A dedicated auction of his collection took place at Sotheby's New York on April 20 2012 realizing more than $6 million. The present copy contains more than 900 added plates which illustrate the settings and figures populating the biography as well as expanding the two volumes into an imposing set that is quite attractive on the shelf. The first printing of Boswell's Johnson is easy to obtain but extra-illustrated sets seem to be quite rare: except for the present item which went for $11250 at the Levy sale the last such copy we could trace at auction was a four-volume set sold in 1988. Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly unknown
1791Best.-Nr. 195532London: printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. One of Western literature's most germinal achievements" ODNB First edition first state uncut in the original boards of the most famous biography in any language. Boswell began the immense task of compiling the thousands of notes he had recorded on "the great man's talk habits and opinions" after Johnson's death in 1784. Made up of trifling incidents as well as the significant events in Johnson's life the work remains a masterpiece of portraiture. "The Life of Johnson was no single book miraculously produced by an inexperienced author. It was the crowning achievement of an artist who for more than twenty-five years had been deliberately disciplining himself for such a task" Pottle p. xxi. "Homer is not more decidedly the first of heroic poets Shakespeare is not more decidedly the first of dramatists Demosthenes is not more decidedly the first of orators than Boswell is the first of biographers" Macaulay. This copy has all the usual cancels and misprints as called for by Pottle including the misprint "gve" for "give" on page 135 of the first volume. The misprint was corrected while the sheets were still going through the press and both states were available on publication day 16 May 1791. Of the 1750 copies printed 800 were sold in the first two weeks. 2 vols quarto. Portrait frontispiece engraved by James Heath after Sir Joshua Reynolds 2 engraved facsimile plates by H. Shepherd. Text printed on pale blue paper. Uncut in original blue paper boards rebacked with parchment. Housed in a custom black cloth folding case. 1791 ownership signature of "D. Miller" to title page; bookplates of American collectors William Harris Arnold 1854-1923 Beverly Chew 1850-1924 and loosely inserted Stanley J. Seeger 1930-2011 and Christopher Cone b. 1955. Boards lightly worn at extremities rear board of vol. I with faint offsetting from a title page of Chambers's Cyclopaedia inner hinges cracked but firm occasional foxing to contents. A very good copy. Courtney 172; Grolier English 54; Rothschild 463; Pottle 79; Tinker 338. hardcover
1884Best.-Nr. 192130London: George Bell and Sons 1884. With autograph letters signed by Johnson and Boswell The unique "Monograph Copy" extra-illustrated with numerous additional plates and an extensive collection of autograph material including autograph letters signed by both Boswell and Johnson. The remaining items derive from an illustrious group of figures within the Johnsonian milieu many of whom feature in Boswell's narratives. This fine set offers a window onto the world Johnson inhabited. Johnson's letter is dated 29 July 1779. He notifies his physician Dr Lawrence that he has been detained in the country and must postpone their meeting. Boswell's which is undated proposes a day to "eat mutton" with Henry Sampson Woodfall 1739-1805 editor and printer of the Public Advertiser which published Boswell's work. These are tipped into the front of volume I alongside two other autograph items. The remaining volumes likewise contain autograph material from different individuals tipped into their fronts together with illuminated plates noting that the Société des Bibliophiles of New York specially bound and extra-illustrated the set. Correspondence from those with whom Johnson was personally and often closely acquainted includes social and professional letters from figures such as Hannah More 1745-1833 Richard Cumberland 1732-1811 Joseph Warton 1722-1800 and Samuel Parr 1747-1825. There is also a legal document signed by Johnson's defender Lord Thurlow 1731-1806. The collection also includes a receipt signed by John Horne Tooke 1736-1812 for a volume of his Diversions of Purley 1786 a philological work that publicly rivalled Johnson's Dictionary. This copy is number 39 of 104 sets. A full inventory of the autograph material is available on request. 15 vols large octavo 237 x 162 mm. Engraved frontispieces many plates with tissue guards. Contemporary brown-green morocco spines lettered in gilt compartments elaborately decorated with foliate design boards panelled in elaborate gilt light brown morocco onlay roundels gilt inner dentelles red morocco doublures with gilt fillets and green morocco onlay frame with gilt roll cream moiré silk flyleaves edges gilt white bookmarkers. Paper repair to autograph material. Spines uniformly sunned else a fine set. hardcover
