BOSWELL, JamesBiblio.com
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1791réf. 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
1887réf. 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
1887réf. 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
1791réf. 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
1791réf. 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
1791réf. 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
1791réf. 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
1791réf. 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
1835réf. ST17226London: John Murray 1835. First Illustrated Edition Croker's Second Edition. 170 x 105 mm. 6 3/4 x 4 1/4". 10 volumes. VERY PRETTY PURPLE CRUSHED MOROCCO GILT BY BAYNTUN OF BATH stamp-signed on front turn-in covers with gilt rule border central panel diapered in gilt with knots at line intersection central compartment filled with floral tools raised bands spine compartments with large fleuron gilt lettering gilt-ruled turn-ins with trefoil at corners marbled endpapers all edges gilt. With a total of 51 ILLUSTRATIONS consisting of: engraved frontispiece and extra engraved title page with vignette in each volume a folding map a folding facsimile plate and one double-page plate as called for all by Edward Francis Finden and all hand-colored AND EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED WITH 28 PLATES 10 portraits nine views nine folding facsimile plates four with vignette views ALL COLORED BY HAND all with tissue guards. Pottle 92. Spines just slightly and evenly sunned to a very pleasing burgundy one front hinge exposed with no hint of looseness offsetting from and onto the folding facsimiles other trivial imperfections but A LOVELY SET clean and fresh internally with attractively colored plates in a luscious and lustrous binding with virtually no signs of use. This is the first illustrated edition of the work generally considered to be the greatest biography in any language here embellished with additional portraits of Johnson's associates and views of important places in his life. First published in 1791 Boswell's account of Dr. Johnson reveals the most fully realized figure in literature and it prefigures modern biography in emphasizing the character of the subject rather than his deeds. It is also a tribute to Boswell's genius in 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. 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 brilliant and profound and at the same time dogmatic overbearing prejudiced and irascible. Day This edition also includes Johnson's journal of his visit to the Hebrides Islands and "anecdotes by Hawkins Piozzi Murphy Tyers Reynolds Steevens &c. and notes by various hands" in the two final volumes which have the running title "Johnsoniana." Our handsome set is a good example of the early 20th century decorative work typical of the Bayntun firm founded in Bath in 1894 and now the last of the great Victorian trade binderies still in family ownership. It is not terribly uncommon to encounter extra-illustrated examples of this and similar sets of major literary works but it is unusual to find such a set with all the illustrations hand colored. John Murray unknown
1835réf. ST17226London: John Murray 1835. First Illustrated Edition Croker's Second Edition. 170 x 105 mm. 6 3/4 x 4 1/4". 10 volumes. VERY PRETTY PURPLE CRUSHED MOROCCO GILT BY BAYNTUN OF BATH stamp-signed on front turn-in covers with gilt rule border central panel diapered in gilt with knots at line intersection central compartment filled with floral tools raised bands spine compartments with large fleuron gilt lettering gilt-ruled turn-ins with trefoil at corners marbled endpapers all edges gilt. With a total of 51 ILLUSTRATIONS consisting of: engraved frontispiece and extra engraved title page with vignette in each volume a folding map a folding facsimile plate and one double-page plate as called for all by Edward Francis Finden and all hand-colored AND EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED WITH 28 PLATES 10 portraits nine views nine folding facsimile plates four with vignette views ALL COLORED BY HAND all with tissue guards. Pottle 92. Spines just slightly and evenly sunned to a very pleasing burgundy one front hinge exposed with no hint of looseness offsetting from and onto the folding facsimiles other trivial imperfections but A LOVELY SET clean and fresh internally with attractively colored plates in a luscious and lustrous binding with virtually no signs of use. This is the first illustrated edition of the work generally considered to be the greatest biography in any language here embellished with additional portraits of Johnson's associates and views of important places in his life. First published in 1791 Boswell's account of Dr. Johnson reveals the most fully realized figure in literature and it prefigures modern biography in emphasizing the character of the subject rather than his deeds. It is also a tribute to Boswell's genius in 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. 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 brilliant and profound and at the same time dogmatic overbearing prejudiced and irascible. Day This edition also includes Johnson's journal of his visit to the Hebrides Islands and "anecdotes by Hawkins Piozzi Murphy Tyers Reynolds Steevens &c. and notes by various hands" in the two final volumes which have the running title "Johnsoniana." Our handsome set is a good example of the early 20th century decorative work typical of the Bayntun firm founded in Bath in 1894 and now the last of the great Victorian trade binderies still in family ownership. It is not terribly uncommon to encounter extra-illustrated examples of this and similar sets of major literary works but it is unusual to find such a set with all the illustrations hand colored. John Murray unknown books
1791réf. 150970London: 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. First issue with "gve" for "give" at line 10 of p.135 in Vol. I where MM4 and NN1 are cancels. Vol. I with Pottle's misprints: upon repeated at p. 48; "reollection" at p. 115; "exhihited" at p. 117; "condescente" at p. 275; and "Harvey" at p. 291 following the spelling "Hervey". Vol. II with title page blank on reverse and p. 586 incorrectly numbered 588 as well as all other misnumberings given by Pottle and the five noted cancels. Quarto bound in full polished calf rebacked gilt ruling and lettering to spine gilt ruling to the front and rear panels marbled endpapers stipple-engraved frontispiece portrait of Johnson by J. Heath after Joshua Reynolds 2 engraved plates all edges marbled. In very good condition. Armorial bookplate to each pastedown. 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
1791réf. 1307851791. First Edition. BOSWELL James. The Life of Samuel Johnson LL.D. Comprehending an Account of His Studies and Numerous WorksÉ London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. Two volumes. Quarto contemporary full tree calf sympathetically rebacked with original burgundy and blue morocco spine labels preserved raised bands; housed in a custom slipcase. $8500.First edition of ""the most famous biography in any language one of Western literature's most germinal achievements"" handsomely bound.""The Shakespeare of biographers"" Macaulay James Boswell ""excelled in insight into human nature and in ability to dramatize a situation. For such purposes Dr. Samuel Johnson was God's plentyÉ Boswell was not merely a conscientious preserver of detail; he was also an inspired shaping artist. He knew and transmits the sound of his subject's voice to a degree unparalleled in other biographersÉ Completeness of portrayal was certainly Boswell's aimÑand his accomplishment"" Baugh et al. 1065-66. ""If there had been no Boswell Johnson would have been one of the most famous names in English literature; but that he has become a household nameÉ is due to the chance that brought Boswell into his companyÉ Boswell is the sniffing bloodhound who will follow the scent of individuality into whatever territory it leads him. The fascination of their 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. ""Sales exceeded all expectations. Of a total of 1750 sets printed 800 were sold in the first two weeks 1200 by the end of August 1400 by December and 1600 by August 1792É Boswell's Life of Johnson remains the most famous biography in any language one of Western literature's most germinal achievementsÉ"" DNB. Volume I is second state with ""gve"" corrected to ""give"" on page 135 line 10 a change made before publication. Cancels present at Volume I leaves 2M4-2N1 pages 271-74; Volume II E3 pages 29-30 2O4 pages 287-88 2Q3 pages 301-02 2Z1 pages 353-54 and 3E2 pages 395-96. With engraved frontispiece portrait of Johnson by James Heath after Sir Joshua Reynolds in Volume I and two engraved plates in Volume II. Rothschild 463. Grolier 100. Bookplates of the Chancellor family of Shieldhill castle in Scotland and of Duff Cooper English author politician and diplomat who was British ambassador to France from 1944 to 1948; his wife was the celebrated socialite Lady Diana Manners. Owner signatures to title pages and front free endpapers.Scattered foxing to text light expert cleaning to frontispiece and title page of Volume I only. Expert restoration to handsome tree calf boards. hardcover
1791réf. 1307851791. First Edition. BOSWELL James. The Life of Samuel Johnson LL.D. Comprehending an Account of His Studies and Numerous WorksÉ London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791. Two volumes. Quarto contemporary full tree calf sympathetically rebacked with original burgundy and blue morocco spine labels preserved raised bands; housed in a custom slipcase. $8500.First edition of ""the most famous biography in any language one of Western literature's most germinal achievements"" handsomely bound.""The Shakespeare of biographers"" Macaulay James Boswell ""excelled in insight into human nature and in ability to dramatize a situation. For such purposes Dr. Samuel Johnson was God's plentyÉ Boswell was not merely a conscientious preserver of detail; he was also an inspired shaping artist. He knew and transmits the sound of his subject's voice to a degree unparalleled in other biographersÉ Completeness of portrayal was certainly Boswell's aimÑand his accomplishment"" Baugh et al. 1065-66. ""If there had been no Boswell Johnson would have been one of the most famous names in English literature; but that he has become a household nameÉ is due to the chance that brought Boswell into his companyÉ Boswell is the sniffing bloodhound who will follow the scent of individuality into whatever territory it leads him. The fascination of their 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. ""Sales exceeded all expectations. Of a total of 1750 sets printed 800 were sold in the first two weeks 1200 by the end of August 1400 by December and 1600 by August 1792É Boswell's Life of Johnson remains the most famous biography in any language one of Western literature's most germinal achievementsÉ"" DNB. Volume I is second state with ""gve"" corrected to ""give"" on page 135 line 10 a change made before publication. Cancels present at Volume I leaves 2M4-2N1 pages 271-74; Volume II E3 pages 29-30 2O4 pages 287-88 2Q3 pages 301-02 2Z1 pages 353-54 and 3E2 pages 395-96. With engraved frontispiece portrait of Johnson by James Heath after Sir Joshua Reynolds in Volume I and two engraved plates in Volume II. Rothschild 463. Grolier 100. Bookplates of the Chancellor family of Shieldhill castle in Scotland and of Duff Cooper English author politician and diplomat who was British ambassador to France from 1944 to 1948; his wife was the celebrated socialite Lady Diana Manners. Owner signatures to title pages and front free endpapers.Scattered foxing to text light expert cleaning to frontispiece and title page of Volume I only. Expert restoration to handsome tree calf boards. hardcover books
1793réf. 6215London: Henry Baldwin 1793. First edition. Near Fine. 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. "Boswell is the first of biographers. He has no second. He has distanced all his competitors so decidedly that it is not worth while to place them" Macauley. Indeed drawing on his close and longstanding collaboration with Johnson as well as Johnson's own diary James Boswell released a book that was a popular success and helped to establish the modern genre of biography. Still considered an important resource on the life and times of the famed memoirist and dictionary compiler Boswell's Life of Johnson breathes vivid life into one of the most important British figures of the century. "We know of him not as he was known to men of his generation but as he was known to men whose fathers he might have been.and long after his works may be forgotten he will be remembered through Boswell's Life" Macauley. This was Boswell's last publication before his death in 1795. "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. Regarding the "gve" or "give" question: "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" Pottle. The correct first issue as here reads: "Short O short then be thy reign And gve us to the world again!" Near Fine. Courtney & Nichol Smith pp. 172-3. Grolier 100 English 65. Pottle 79 & 113. Rothschild 464 & 466. Sterling 71. Tinker 338. Near Fine. Henry Baldwin unknown
1791réf. 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
1791réf. 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
1791réf. 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 books
1791réf. 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 books
1793réf. 6215London: Henry Baldwin 1793. First edition. Near Fine. 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. "Boswell is the first of biographers. He has no second. He has distanced all his competitors so decidedly that it is not worth while to place them" Macauley. Indeed drawing on his close and longstanding collaboration with Johnson as well as Johnson's own diary James Boswell released a book that was a popular success and helped to establish the modern genre of biography. Still considered an important resource on the life and times of the famed memoirist and dictionary compiler Boswell's Life of Johnson breathes vivid life into one of the most important British figures of the century. "We know of him not as he was known to men of his generation but as he was known to men whose fathers he might have been.and long after his works may be forgotten he will be remembered through Boswell's Life" Macauley. This was Boswell's last publication before his death in 1795. "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. Regarding the "gve" or "give" question: "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" Pottle. The correct first issue as here reads: "Short O short then be thy reign And gve us to the world again!" Near Fine. Courtney & Nichol Smith pp. 172-3. Grolier 100 English 65. Pottle 79 & 113. Rothschild 464 & 466. Sterling 71. Tinker 338. Near Fine. Henry Baldwin unknown books
1791réf. 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
1791réf. 4147London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1791 and 1793. "The Life": first edition. Two Volumes. 4to 272x210mm. pp. xii 16 516: 2 588 i.e. 586; 2 1-42. In volume I duplicates of pp153-56 and pp. 157-60 are bound between pp146-47 and pp150-51 respectively but it is complete. The scarce "Corrections and Additions" are bound in at the end of volume II. Engraved frontispiece portrait by J. Heath from Reynolds's portrait. Two plates with facsimiles of Johnson's handwriting in volume II between pp92-3 and after final page. "give" is correctly spelt at line 10 of p135 of volume I but other misprints usually attributed to the first issue are uncorrected so this is a mixed first and second issue. However the better i.e. Pottle's view is that the misprints or corrections simply reflect the states for individual sheets and one cannot from these assert an issue priority for any copy as a whole. The folding map of Scotland from the Tour of the Hebrides has been bound into volume I. Front pastedown of both volumes has book labels of James Mill London not that Mill sadly B. and M. Leslie and the ownership inscription of J. Innes. Bound in contemporary speckled calf flat spine with black morocco label lettered in gilt joints strengthened. Some slight scratching to the covers. Housed in brown cloth covered box with a little rubbing and scuffing to the extremities. Internally there is a little foxing in places but otherwise this is a very good copy of perhaps the most celebrated biography in English. Macaulay famously described Boswell as "the first of biographers" pre-eminent in his field as Homer Shakespeare and Demosthenes are in theirs. Indeed. That Johnson his own works so rarely read now has such a vivid place in our minds is due entirely to this brilliant work. London: Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly 1791 and 1793. hardcover
1887réf. 1249881887. JOHNSON Samuel BOSWELL James. Boswell's Life of Johnson includingÉ 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
1791réf. 31227London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly in the Poultry 1791. 2 volumes. First Edition First Issue 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 as called for. With round robin plate signatures page portrait frontispiece. 4to 275 x 210 mm. full contemporary mottled calf the spines with raised bands separating the compartments the bands ruled in gilt two compartments with terra-cotta-red morocco lettering labels gilt the covers with double gilt fillet rules at the borders gilt tooled edges original endleaves. xii 16 516; 588 pp. A handsome and fine set with the bindings in excellent condition sometime expertly and very sympathetically renewed at the spines to style. A very pleasing set quite clean and crisp throughout. IMPORTANT FIRST EDITION FIRST STATE IN PLEASING CONDITION. 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 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." Macauley in the Edinburgh Review 1831. Boswell learned a great deal about the art of biography from his subject and brought to his task boundless curiosity persistence and zest. Boswell had been collecting material for this work since his first interview with Johnson in 1763 and was confident that his kind of biography "which gives not only a History of Johnson's visible progress through the world and of his publications but a view of his mind in his letters and conversations is the most perfect that can be conceived and will be more of a Life than any work that has ever yet appeared." He said too that: “A sanction to my faculty of giving a just representation of Dr. Johnson I could not conceal. Nor will I suppress my satisfaction in the consciousness that by recording so considerable a portion of the wit and wisdom of the brightest ornament of the eigteenth century I have largely provided for the instruction and entertainment of mankind.” If Boswell does indulge in a little harmless flattery to himself the concluding words of his preface are literally true for Boswell’s Johnson as much as any other book “has largely provided for the instruction and entertainment of mankind.” Only 1750 copies of the first edition were printed. Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly, in the Poultry hardcover
1887réf. 1249881887. JOHNSON Samuel BOSWELL James. Boswell's Life of Johnson includingÉ 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 books
1791réf. 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
