Boswell, JamesABAA
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1937ref. 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 books
1791ref. 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
1791ref. 6074London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. First Edition. First Edition. 4to. Two volumes. Contemporary attractive speckled calf spine in 6 compartments with 5 raised bands gilt red and black leather lettering-pieces gilt re-backed preserving original boards. FIRST EDITION second issue of the most celebrated biography in the English language with ìgiveî on p.135 of Vol. I the initial blank in vol. II and all 7 cancels. Engraved portrait frontispiece of Johnson by James Heath after Sir Joshua Reynolds 2 engraved plates of facsimiles by H. Shepherd. Vol. I title-page reinforced at gutter some light soiling a few tiny mostly marginal wormholes marginal tear with loss not affecting text to X3 in vol. II. joints cracking some light chipping; brown cloth slipcase. A splendid copy of a significant book. Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly unknown
1791ref. 6074London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. First Edition. First Edition. 4to. Two volumes. Contemporary attractive speckled calf spine in 6 compartments with 5 raised bands gilt red and black leather lettering-pieces gilt re-backed preserving original boards. FIRST EDITION second issue of the most celebrated biography in the English language with ìgiveî on p.135 of Vol. I the initial blank in vol. II and all 7 cancels. Engraved portrait frontispiece of Johnson by James Heath after Sir Joshua Reynolds 2 engraved plates of facsimiles by H. Shepherd. Vol. I title-page reinforced at gutter some light soiling a few tiny mostly marginal wormholes marginal tear with loss not affecting text to X3 in vol. II. joints cracking some light chipping; brown cloth slipcase. A splendid copy of a significant book. Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly unknown books
1793ref. 000012718London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly in the Poultry 1793. First edition. Hardcover. Very Good. 2 vol. 4to. 3 iv-xii 17 2-516; 3 2-588 586 4 2-42 pp. Contemporary calf with the spines in six compartments recent black morocco labels lettered in gold on the spines gold tooling on the spines. Volume one illustrated with a frontispiece portrait of Johnson a stipple-engraving by James Heath volume two with two plates the "Round Robin" plate and the facsimile of Johnson's handwriting. Completing the title page: "with 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". Grolier Club 100 Famous Books in English Literature 65. Oxford DNB Gordon Turnbull "Boswell James 1740–1795". Pottle 79. Rothschild 463. Our copy has the second state point in volume one with the word "give" spelled correctly on page 135. A contemporary bookplate on each front pastedown. Boswell's historical and literary magnum opus: arguably the most famous biography in English literature. Many have praised Boswell for his reconstruction of the larger-than-life character of Samuel Johnson. Johnson's personality shines through the letters and journal entries included in these volumes. Samuel Johnson of course is best-remembered for his revised English Dictionary done after Nathan Bailey's first pass at an English-language dictionary. Johnson's dictionary stands out as one of wit full of pithy entries reflective of his life experience and skilfull command of the English language. A handsome set of Boswell's story of Samuel Johnson a work that has been celebrated throughout the ages as a turning-point in biography remembrance and as a revolution in the characterization of a historical person. Recently and sympathetically rebacked a few corners subtly renewed. The title pages and the final plate has a neat repair. Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in the Poultry hardcover
1785ref. 352072London: Printed for Charles Dilly in the Poultry 1785. First edition. Half-titles present 4 107 1 pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Sewn untrimmed. Some light soiling to half-titles Benjamin Vaughn's signature to the half-title; in custom half-morocco box and chemise. First edition. Half-titles present 4 107 1 pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Boswell's second Letter to the People of Scotland written to oppose a bill in Parliament for reducing the number of the Lords of Session from fifteen to ten was notable for ''its exuberance of tone and the wealth of personal allusion'' - although in later years Boswell felt that it was perhaps too extravagant Pottle. Ultimately the bill was dropped. This copy bears the ownership signature of radical politician Benjamin Vaughan 1751-1835. Vaughan was a supporter of the French and American Revolutions and unofficially aided in negotiations between Britain and the United States at the drafting of the Treaty of Paris. A friend of Benjamin Franklin's since university days he later edited his works. ESTC 6223856; Rothschild 455; Pottle 56 Printed for Charles Dilly, in the Poultry unknown
1791ref. 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
1785ref. 352072London: Printed for Charles Dilly in the Poultry 1785. First edition. Half-titles present 4 107 1 pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Sewn untrimmed. Some light soiling to half-titles Benjamin Vaughn's signature to the half-title; in custom half-morocco box and chemise. First edition. Half-titles present 4 107 1 pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Boswell's second Letter to the People of Scotland written to oppose a bill in Parliament for reducing the number of the Lords of Session from fifteen to ten was notable for ''its exuberance of tone and the wealth of personal allusion'' - although in later years Boswell felt that it was perhaps too extravagant Pottle. Ultimately the bill was dropped. This copy bears the ownership signature of radical politician Benjamin Vaughan 1751-1835. Vaughan was a supporter of the French and American Revolutions and unofficially aided in negotiations between Britain and the United States at the drafting of the Treaty of Paris. A friend of Benjamin Franklin's since university days he later edited his works. ESTC 6223856; Rothschild 455; Pottle 56 Printed for Charles Dilly, in the Poultry unknown books
1791ref. 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
1791ref. 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
1791ref. BOSWELLJ002721Charles Dilly London. 1791. First edition; second state with ''give'' at line 10 page 135. Quarto. Two volumes: pp xii xv table of contents i corrections and additions 516; ii 588. Frontispiece portrait engraving after Reynolds two engraved facsimile plates at end of second volume. Fine nineteenth century bindings by Zaehnsdorf of full dark brown morocco with raised bands gilt decoration inner dentelles gilt silk endpapers all edges gilt. Highly professional almost invisible repairs to spines with backstrips relaid retaining the endpapers.Spines and front cover of second volume faintly faded. Some spotting to frontispiece. Faded ownership signature dated 1846 on title-page. Near fine set. Charles Dilly, London. hardcover
1791ref. 53375London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. First edition the so-called second state with "give" reading on p. 135 in vol. I 2 volumes 4to pp. xii 16 516; 2 588; engraved portrait frontispiece by Heath after Joshua Reynolds and with the Round Robin plate and the plate showing facsimile signatures of Johnson; nice copy in contemporary full calf neatly and pleasingly rebacked sometime in the 20th century preserving the old red and black morocco labels on spine; all the standard cancels are present per Pottle. Regarding the "give" versus "gve" reading Pottle notes that the "booksellers have given this rather uninteresting 'point' more attention than it deserves." Celebrated for its intimacy and vividness 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 the heroic poets Shakespeare is not more decidedly the first of the dramatists Demosthenes is not more decidedly the first of the orators than Boswell is the first of biographers" Macaulay. Grolier English 100 no. 65; Rothschild 463; Pottle 79. Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly unknown
1791ref. 53375London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. First edition the so-called second state with "give" reading on p. 135 in vol. I 2 volumes 4to pp. xii 16 516; 2 588; engraved portrait frontispiece by Heath after Joshua Reynolds and with the Round Robin plate and the plate showing facsimile signatures of Johnson; nice copy in contemporary full calf neatly and pleasingly rebacked sometime in the 20th century preserving the old red and black morocco labels on spine; all the standard cancels are present per Pottle. Regarding the "give" versus "gve" reading Pottle notes that the "booksellers have given this rather uninteresting 'point' more attention than it deserves." Celebrated for its intimacy and vividness 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 the heroic poets Shakespeare is not more decidedly the first of the dramatists Demosthenes is not more decidedly the first of the orators than Boswell is the first of biographers" Macaulay. Grolier English 100 no. 65; Rothschild 463; Pottle 79. Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly unknown books
1791ref. 7195London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly in the Poultry 1791. First Edition. Full Leather. Very Good. Two volumes. 4to. Pp. xii 16 3-516; 1 2-588 2. Engraved portrait frontis. after Sir Joshua Reynolds in the first volume. Second volume illustrated with two plates of Dr. Johnson's handwriting in facsimile. Marbled endpapers. Full speckled calf with gilt filigree borders and inner dentelles rebacked in period style; repaired corners. Two bookplates: "The High Canon's Library" and "Malo Mori Quam Foedari" possibly the plate of Cardinal Henry Edward Manning. Interiors quite nice. First edition first state with "gve" in lieu of "give" on p.135 of Vol. I. Boswell's achievement was not to simply capture the brilliance and wit of his subject but to provide through meticulous scholarship the complexities of Johnson amid the literary realm of his era. Provenance: Sold at the 1922 Sotheby's sale of The Valuable Library . of the Late Baroness Burdett Coutts. Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in the Poultry unknown
1791ref. 7195London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly in the Poultry 1791. First Edition. Full Leather. Very Good. Two volumes. 4to. Pp. xii 16 3-516; 1 2-588 2. Engraved portrait frontis. after Sir Joshua Reynolds in the first volume. Second volume illustrated with two plates of Dr. Johnson's handwriting in facsimile. Marbled endpapers. Full speckled calf with gilt filigree borders and inner dentelles rebacked in period style; repaired corners. Two bookplates: "The High Canon's Library" and "Malo Mori Quam Foedari" possibly the plate of Cardinal Henry Edward Manning. Interiors quite nice. First edition first state with "gve" in lieu of "give" on p.135 of Vol. I. Boswell's achievement was not to simply capture the brilliance and wit of his subject but to provide through meticulous scholarship the complexities of Johnson amid the literary realm of his era. Provenance: Sold at the 1922 Sotheby's sale of The Valuable Library . of the Late Baroness Burdett Coutts. Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in the Poultry unknown books
1783ref. 68272Edinburgh: Printed and Sold by all the Booksellers 1783. First Edition. 43 1 blank pp. Some minor foxing mainly to title-page. This pamphlet is bound at the end of the volume. This pamphlet representing Boswell's first foray into politics is rare at auction. There have been no copies of this first at auction since 1968. According to Pottle "The pamphlet seems to be rare; at least it appears in the catalogues of few large libraries. There are two copies in the British Museum one in the Harvard College Library and one in the New York Public Library." "This is the first of Boswell's " characteristical pamphlets" to bear his name on the title-page and it makes a new and important stage in Boswell's career his real reason for penning the pamphlet undoubtedly being that he saw a general election imminent and proposed to stand as parliamentary candidate for Ayrshire." Maggs 603-1953. ESTC T17200. Pottle 105/106. Bound together with DE LOLME John Lewis. Observations upon the National Embarrassment and the Proceedings in Parliament Relative to the Same. London Printed for J. Debrett 1789. 2 81 1 publisher's advertisement pp. Old ink note on title-page. "First published in 1789 as 'The present national embarrassment considered'". ESTC T185623 And DUTENS M.L. Histoire De Se Qui S'est Passe Pour L'Establissement D'une Regence En Angleterre En 1788 et 1789. London Chez J. Walter 1791. Third Edition. iv 155 1 blank pp. And ANONYMOUS Serious Enquiries into the Motives and Consequences of Our Present Armament against Russia. London. J. Debrett 1791. 4 60 8 publisher's advertisements pp. With half-title and a folding chart. And ANONYMOUS Considerations on the Approach of War and the Conduct of His Majesty's Ministries. London. For J. Debrett 1791. 2 40 2 publisher's advertisements pp. And ANONYMOUS A Short Seasonable Hint addressed to the Landowers and Merchants of Great Britain on the Alarm of a War with Russia. London. For J. Debrett 1791. 38 2 publisher's advertisements pp. And Lettre D'un Habitant De Paris Au Baron d'E a L en Suisse Sur La Journee du 19 Juin 1790. 99 1 blank pp. Octavo 8 1/4 x 5 inches; 210 x 128 mm. All pamphlets bound together in contemporary half calf over marbled boards. Red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. Some occasional foxing but otherwise very clean. Previous owners old ink notes on front endpapers. A very good copy. HBS 68272. $5000. Printed and Sold by all the Booksellers unknown
1783ref. 68272Edinburgh: Printed and Sold by all the Booksellers 1783. First Edition. 43 1 blank pp. Some minor foxing mainly to title-page. This pamphlet is bound at the end of the volume. This pamphlet representing Boswell's first foray into politics is rare at auction. There have been no copies of this first at auction since 1968. According to Pottle "The pamphlet seems to be rare; at least it appears in the catalogues of few large libraries. There are two copies in the British Museum one in the Harvard College Library and one in the New York Public Library." "This is the first of Boswell's " characteristical pamphlets" to bear his name on the title-page and it makes a new and important stage in Boswell's career his real reason for penning the pamphlet undoubtedly being that he saw a general election imminent and proposed to stand as parliamentary candidate for Ayrshire." Maggs 603-1953. ESTC T17200. Pottle 105/106. Bound together with DE LOLME John Lewis. Observations upon the National Embarrassment and the Proceedings in Parliament Relative to the Same. London Printed for J. Debrett 1789. 2 81 1 publisher's advertisement pp. Old ink note on title-page. "First published in 1789 as 'The present national embarrassment considered'". ESTC T185623 And DUTENS M.L. Histoire De Se Qui S'est Passe Pour L'Establissement D'une Regence En Angleterre En 1788 et 1789. London Chez J. Walter 1791. Third Edition. iv 155 1 blank pp. And ANONYMOUS Serious Enquiries into the Motives and Consequences of Our Present Armament against Russia. London. J. Debrett 1791. 4 60 8 publisher's advertisements pp. With half-title and a folding chart. And ANONYMOUS Considerations on the Approach of War and the Conduct of His Majesty's Ministries. London. For J. Debrett 1791. 2 40 2 publisher's advertisements pp. And ANONYMOUS A Short Seasonable Hint addressed to the Landowers and Merchants of Great Britain on the Alarm of a War with Russia. London. For J. Debrett 1791. 38 2 publisher's advertisements pp. And Lettre D'un Habitant De Paris Au Baron d'E a L en Suisse Sur La Journee du 19 Juin 1790. 99 1 blank pp. Octavo 8 1/4 x 5 inches; 210 x 128 mm. All pamphlets bound together in contemporary half calf over marbled boards. Red morocco spine label lettered in gilt. Some occasional foxing but otherwise very clean. Previous owners old ink notes on front endpapers. A very good copy. HBS 68272. $5000. Printed and Sold by all the Booksellers unknown books
1791ref. 21183381791. London: Henry Baldwin. 1791. Two vols 4to. Rebound full calf; raised bands to spines ruled in gilt spines lettered and ornamented in gilt; speckled edges; marbled endpapers; pp. I: xii xvi 516; II: iv 588; engraved frontispiece in vol. I of Johnson by J. Heath after Joshua Reynolds; with two facsimile plates one showing Johnson's handwriting; minimal rubbing to hinges of spines; internally clean; a very good set. First edition second issue with the 'give' printed on p. 135.Widely praised since its publication Boswell's The Life of Samuel Johnson provides an entertaining in-depth account of Johnson based on material kept in Boswell's diaries. Extensive in both size and subject this work provides intricate details about arguably one of the most important literary figures of the eighteenth century.Boswell's biography is a meticulously detailed account of Johnson's life beginning with his early years and tracing his journey through the intellectual and literary circles of the time. It explores Johnson's upbringing his struggles with poverty and his remarkable literary achievements. Boswell's narrative is peppered with direct quotations from Johnson and their conversations allowing readers to not only understand Johnson's life but to hear his unique voice and wit. The work provides a glimpse into Johnson's relationships with other notable figures of his time including the likes of Joshua Reynolds and Edmund Burke further enriching the historical and cultural context of the narrative.This work offers valuable insights into eighteenth-century England its intellectual and social life and the burgeoning literary scene giving readers a deeper understanding of the historical context in which Johnson lived and worked. Additionally Boswell's approach to biography which combines personal observation interviews and correspondence has had a profound influence on the way biographies are written becoming a standard practice in the genre. It also serves as a historical and cultural document offering a window into eighteenth-century England the emergence of modern literary criticism and the challenges faced by writers of the time. This work continues to be a cornerstone in the world of biography and literature and its cultural significance endures through the ages and without it our contemporary understanding of the character of Johnson would be far less detailed.ESTC T64481 hardcover
1887ref. 303657Oxford: Clarendon Press 1887. Superbly extra-illustrated with more than 500 mounted portraits. Added title pages for each volume printed in red and black. Numerous folding plates. 11 vols. 8vo. Full red morocco gilt doublures gilt t.e.g. Bookplate of Nicholas Frederic Brady 1878-1930 by J. & E.B. Spines a bit toned; top of upper joint of Index volume with small repair a near fine and very handsome set. Superbly extra-illustrated with more than 500 mounted portraits. Added title pages for each volume printed in red and black. Numerous folding plates. 11 vols. 8vo. An abundantly extra-illustrated set of Boswell's classic biography of the great lexicographer Samuel Johnson. Clarendon Press unknown
1887ref. 303657Oxford: Clarendon Press 1887. Superbly extra-illustrated with more than 500 mounted portraits. Added title pages for each volume printed in red and black. Numerous folding plates. 11 vols. 8vo. Full red morocco gilt doublures gilt t.e.g. Bookplate of Nicholas Frederic Brady 1878-1930 by J. & E.B. Spines a bit toned; top of upper joint of Index volume with small repair a near fine and very handsome set. Superbly extra-illustrated with more than 500 mounted portraits. Added title pages for each volume printed in red and black. Numerous folding plates. 11 vols. 8vo. An abundantly extra-illustrated set of Boswell's classic biography of the great lexicographer Samuel Johnson. Clarendon Press unknown books
1791ref. 307361London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. First Edition first state of S4r with "gve" for "give. Engraved portrait by J. Heath after Joshua Reynolds 2 other engraved plates in Volume II. xii 16 516; 2 588 i.e. 586 pp. 2 vols. 4to. Bound in contemporary brown mottled calf rebacked with original red and green labels on spine laid down. Bookplate of John Mountenay Lely 1839-1907 and Robert McKinlay. In open-faced blue cloth slipcsae. First Edition first state of S4r with "gve" for "give". Engraved portrait by J. Heath after Joshua Reynolds 2 other engraved plates in Volume II. xii 16 516; 2 588 i.e. 586 pp. 2 vols. 4to. Pottle 79; Rothschild 463; Grolier English 65 Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly unknown
1791ref. 307361London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. First Edition first state of S4r with "gve" for "give. Engraved portrait by J. Heath after Joshua Reynolds 2 other engraved plates in Volume II. xii 16 516; 2 588 i.e. 586 pp. 2 vols. 4to. Bound in contemporary brown mottled calf rebacked with original red and green labels on spine laid down. Bookplate of John Mountenay Lely 1839-1907 and Robert McKinlay. In open-faced blue cloth slipcsae. First Edition first state of S4r with "gve" for "give". Engraved portrait by J. Heath after Joshua Reynolds 2 other engraved plates in Volume II. xii 16 516; 2 588 i.e. 586 pp. 2 vols. 4to. Pottle 79; Rothschild 463; Grolier English 65 Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly unknown books
1791ref. 163220London: by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. One of Western literature's most germinal achievements First edition of the greatest biography in the English language. It was published in a run of 1750 copies on 16 May 1791 the 28th anniversary of Boswell's first meeting with Johnson. The immense task of compiling the thousands of notes Boswell had recorded on "the great man's talk habits and opinions" was begun after Johnson's death in 1784. Made up of trifling incidents as well as the significant events in Johnson's life the work sold 800 copies in the first two weeks of publication and 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 with one exception all the misprints as called for by Pottle; here vol. I p. 135 is in the second corrected state with "give" on line ten. Pottle rightly observes that "the booksellers have given this rather uninteresting 'point' more attention than it deserves. There are probably varying states of some of the other leaves" p. 151. As corrections were made in the press the misprints are variant states for individual sheets and do not indicate priority of issue for any copy. 2 vols quarto 273 x 192 mm. Stipple-engraved portrait frontispiece of Johnson by James Heath after Sir Joshua Reynolds and 2 engraved plates by H. Shepherd reproducing manuscripts in facsimile. Vol. II bound without original first blank. Mid 20th-century speckled calf to style for Brentano's smooth spines with two red labels central compartments stamped with gilt urn device within decorative border first and final compartments with gilt cross-hatch pattern triple gilt fillets on covers enclosing wide anthemion roll board edges and turn-ins decorated in gilt green endpapers edges gilt. Couple of scuffs and spots of rubbing to leather scattered light foxing to contents; vol. I p. 48 with neat correction to text by an early reader pp. 131-4 soiled; vol. II with tiny faint splash mark to title page margin. A very good copy attractively bound. Courtney 172; ESTC T64481; Grolier English 100 54; NCBEL II p. 1214; Pottle 79; Rothschild 463; Tinker 338. hardcover
1791ref. 007319London: Charles Dilly. Printer: Henry Baldwin 1791. Half Morocco. Paper pastedown on boards. Custom cloth slipcase custom cloth dust jacket. Near Fine. 4to. 28.5 by 23 cm. Frontis portrait of Johnson after Reynolds painting engraved by J. Heath. Title Dedication to Reynolds -- vii Table of Contents unpaginated with Corrections and Additions 16 1-516 second title Advertisement -- pagination to xii 1-588 pp. followed by Facsimles of Johnson's hand writing plate. Round Robin plate also present -- Vol. 2 by p. 92. First issue -- "gve in second indented quote line p. 135. Condition: morocco of bindings with some wear -- typical rubbing along joints some along raised bands. Interior: scattered mostly light foxing generally by upper and lower margins or early and final leaves and here and there elsewhere but overall a clean-ish copy and few would find such soiling disconcerting we believe. A very handsome copy of this classic seminal and really sui generis biogaphy of the great Dr. Johnson that more than simply a recounting of his life captures his personality and originality. And a work in which Dr. Johnson can entertain us more than two centuries later almost as if we were present as he was holding forth. Charles Dilly. Printer: Henry Baldwin unknown
1791ref. 007319London: Charles Dilly. Printer: Henry Baldwin 1791. Half Morocco. Paper pastedown on boards. Custom cloth slipcase custom cloth dust jacket. Near Fine. 4to. 28.5 by 23 cm. Frontis portrait of Johnson after Reynolds painting engraved by J. Heath. Title Dedication to Reynolds -- vii Table of Contents unpaginated with Corrections and Additions 16 1-516 second title Advertisement -- pagination to xii 1-588 pp. followed by Facsimles of Johnson's hand writing plate. Round Robin plate also present -- Vol. 2 by p. 92. First issue -- "gve in second indented quote line p. 135. Condition: morocco of bindings with some wear -- typical rubbing along joints some along raised bands. Interior: scattered mostly light foxing generally by upper and lower margins or early and final leaves and here and there elsewhere but overall a clean-ish copy and few would find such soiling disconcerting we believe. A very handsome copy of this classic seminal and really sui generis biogaphy of the great Dr. Johnson that more than simply a recounting of his life captures his personality and originality. And a work in which Dr. Johnson can entertain us more than two centuries later almost as if we were present as he was holding forth. Charles Dilly. Printer: Henry Baldwin unknown books
