Boswell, JamesBiblio.com
152 résultats
1768303206London: Printed for E. and C. Dilly 1768. The Second edition with half title. Variant that has Appendix listed in Contents at p. 141 instead of correctly at p. 241. Engraved title-page large fold-out map of Corsica. xxii ii 384 pp. 1 vols. 8vo 8-7/8 x 6-7/8 inches. Boards uncut. Spine quite worn. The Second edition with half title. Variant that has Appendix listed in Contents at p. 141 instead of correctly at p. 241. Engraved title-page large fold-out map of Corsica. xxii ii 384 pp. 1 vols. 8vo 8-7/8 x 6-7/8 inches. ESTC T26158 ; Pottle 24; Tinker 322 Printed for E. and C. Dilly unknown
17851227001785. London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1785. <br /> <br /> Sm. 8vo iii-vii lacks half-title 1 524 1pp. Modern full diaper calf panelled in gilt backstrip stamped and lettered in gilt with 4 raised bands a lovely retrospective binding by Dusel. Light scuff on upper board early name on title page; a clean and attractive copy.<br /> <br /> § First edition mixed issue; E3 E4 and M4 are cancels as usual; leaves I5 Q7 and U6 are in Pottle's second state. We first sold this copy in 2005 after Dusel rebound it. It makes a very attractive gift copy. "Though the Life is a vaster and richer piece of work no one will maintain that it displays Boswell's unique gift for biography better than the Tour. Indeed most lovers of Boswell will agree that the Tour as a whole is more consistently good than the Life; that is that nowhere in the Life could one find so many consecutive first-class pages as those that compose this book" Pottle 57. Rothschild 456. unknown
1768AA179Glasgow: Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly 1768. First edition second state. Very Good. <p>xxi 3 382 pp Folding copper-engraved map 8vo 20x12 cm 8x4¾" period full calf raised bands morocco lettering piece</p> <br /> <p>Some rubbing to spine and extremities joints tender minor wear to covers small repair to rear cover; short stub tear to map else very good or better an attractive copy</p> <br /> <p>This was the first work to bring Boswell fame; it also brought the cause of Corsican independence fought for under the handsome and impressive General Paoli to international attention Boswell's urgent calls for support and the romanticized account of Paoli as lionized father figure nearly brought England into war with France over Corsica Eventually the struggle for independence was lost and Paoli fled to England where he enjoyed widespread adulation</p> <br /> <p>Even for an 18th century work there are a significant number of state variations for this first edition which may occur in various combinations. Following the general order per the Rothschild catalogue 442 this appears to be a second state of the first edition. A second edition was published in London later in the same year. Specific points for this copy include:</p> <br /> <p>1 Collation consists of blank leaf half title folding map title page preface table of contents pp 382 final blank leaf</p> <br /> <p>2 P 51 ii state with :John Home" correctly placed</p> <br /> <p>3 P 67/68“ l 11-12 ii state "noble fief of Is/tria"</p> <br /> <p>4 P 357 "Mariani" is spelled correctly</p> <br /> <p>5 Folding map has the publisher's imprint and no scale of miles the imprint is absent in the first state</p> <br /> <p>6 Table of Contents - 141 for 241 uncorrected</p> <br /> <p>7 P 70 l 17 - Ftruscans for Etruscans</p> <br /> <p>8 P 93 l6 "prince of"</p> <br /> <p>9 P 137 l 11 "feelirg"</p> <br /> <p>10 P 172 l 9 - "tha the"</p> <br /> <p>11 P 184 l 4 with dots over the y in Montgomery"</p> <br /> <p>12 P 296 l 18 "of my own"</p> <br /> <p>13 P 327 l 9-10 "speculati/ions<br /> <br /> Also E2 and Z3 are cancels.</p> . Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly unknown
1793D264London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1793. Contemporary calf gilt-ruled spine gilt-stamped lettering in morocco spine labels; three volumes; 1 title-p. xxxix 1 603 plus engraved frontis.; 1 634 plus folding plate engraved "Round Robin"; 1 711 plus folding plate at rear facsimile of Johnson's handwriting in his 16th year 35th year and last year of his life. Volumes I and II rebacked Volume III rebacked with bottom board in newer calf; spine of Volume I a little dry and wrinkled; hinges of Volumes II and III reinforced. All Volumes -- corners rubbed; scattered foxing throughout. The second edition "was the last actually published in Boswell's lifetime. There were also many pleasant and characteristic sentences introduced in this edition which naturally dropped out when the text was shaken together by Malone" Pottle. A handsome set. <br/><br/> Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly unknown books
1769B2498London: Edward and Charles Dilly c. 1769. A very good copy. Edition: Third edition. Binding: Contemporary full calf rebacked expertly spine in five compartments of raised bands original morocco label on two. Notes: The first portion of the book is a detailed general history of the Island of Corsica and the second portion is a journal of Boswell experiences while he traveled the island. Cox I:138 writes that this work made Boswell famous. It is a lively account of his Quixotic adventures in Corsica and his associations with General Paoli whom he later exhibited in London and for whom he endeavored to get official British assistance. His childish pleasure in being the chief sponsor of this wild island struggling to become a nation led him to wear a Corsican costume at Garrick’s anniversary celebration in honor of Shakespeare held in 1769 at Stratford-on-Avon. Dr. Johnson praised his Tour in these words: ‘Your history is like other histories but you Journal is in very high degree curious and delightful…Your History was copied from books; your Journal rose out of your own experience and observation.' Size: 8vo Illustration: With two plates being the engraved frontispiece portrait of Pascal Paoli engraved by J. Lodge after Henry Bembridge a large engraved folding map of Corsica. The title page includes an engraved coat of arms. Volume: Two parts in one volume. References: Cox I:138. Pages: P. frontis title blank 1 blank v-xxx 1 blank 33-400. Category: Book Voyages General; Book Mediterranean Edward and Charles Dilly hardcover
1793113260Charles Dilly 1793. Hardcover. Very good/No jacket. Three volumes leatherbound. First octavo edition revised and augmented. Covers shelfworn. Bookplate of John Clarke Stoughton inside each front cover. Three small clippings on the first two pages. Charles Dilly hardcover
17685195London, Printed for Edward and Charles Dilly, 1768. In-8 de XXI-(3)-384 pp., demi-veau bleu glacé à coins, dos à nerfs (reliure du XIXe siècle).
178534031London: printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1785. First edition 8vo pp. vii 1 524 1; E3 E4 and M4 are cancels as usual; leaves I5 Q7 and U6 are in Pottle's second state; beneath the list of errata at the end is a notice for Boswell's Life of Johnson "preparing for the press" which did not appear for another 6 years; contemporary mottled calf neatly rebacked in tan calf gilt-paneled spine red morocco label; a very good sound copy. "Though the Life is a vaster and richer piece of work no one will maintain that it displays Boswell's unique gift for biography better than the Tour. Indeed most lovers of Boswell will agree that the Tour as a whole is more consistently good than the Life; that is that nowhere in the Life could one find so many consecutive first-class pages as those that compose this book" Pottle. The book published is almost the same as the actual journal that was kept in 1773. When Johnson's death made it possible for Boswell to publish the manuscript he only added an introduction and a conclusion before giving it to the printer. Pottle 57; Rothschild 456. <br/><br/> printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly unknown books
178534031London: printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1785. First edition 8vo pp. vii 1 524 1; E3 E4 and M4 are cancels as usual; leaves I5 Q7 and U6 are in Pottle's second state; beneath the list of errata at the end is a notice for Boswell's Life of Johnson "preparing for the press" which did not appear for another 6 years; contemporary mottled calf neatly rebacked in tan calf gilt-paneled spine red morocco label; a very good sound copy. "Though the Life is a vaster and richer piece of work no one will maintain that it displays Boswell's unique gift for biography better than the Tour. Indeed most lovers of Boswell will agree that the Tour as a whole is more consistently good than the Life; that is that nowhere in the Life could one find so many consecutive first-class pages as those that compose this book" Pottle. The book published is almost the same as the actual journal that was kept in 1773. When Johnson's death made it possible for Boswell to publish the manuscript he only added an introduction and a conclusion before giving it to the printer. Pottle 57; Rothschild 456. printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly unknown
17686395Glasgow: Printed by Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly 1768. FIRST EDITION 8vo pp. ii xii i 382 folding map frontispiece. Contemporary calf spine divided by raised bands red morocco label edges sprinkled red. A little scattered spotting and soiling flyleaf nearly detached. Rubbed and marked ring-mark to front board spine creased head of spine worn. Ownership inscription of William Moys to flyleaf. The first edition of Boswell’s first proper book an account of his journey to Corsica and a biography of Corsican president Pascal Paoli. In this copy leaves E2 and Z3 are cancellentia. Neither Gaskell nor ESTC nor Pottle assign any precedence to the various textual variations found across printings with Pottle suggesting that the cancel leaves were printed in duplicate four copies of each across an octavo sheet resulting in slight differences alongside other misprints across the edition ‘no doubt corrected in the press’ p. 52. Rothschild records a few variations not mentioned by other bibliographers: the map in this copy is in his second state with the imprint to the bottom margin and on page 51 the words ‘John Home’ correctly follow the second quotation Rothschild’s second state again. Rothschild also differentiates the varying states of the cancel leaves with our E2 in his state ii though no information is given on how to distinguish the three states of Z3. ESTC T26157; Gaskell 473; Pottle 24; Rothschild 442. Printed by Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly hardcover
1768TSWABOSW16Glasgow: Printed By Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly London 1768. 1768. 8vo. pp. xxi 1 leaf 382. complete with half-title but without final blank Aa8. folding engraved map by Thomas Phinn. engraved title vignette. contemporary sprinkled calf somewhat worn joints cracked & holding by cords several scratches on covers few short tears along map folds - no loss. First Edition. "This work made Boswell famous. It is a lively account of his Quixotic adventures in Corsica and his associations with General Paoli.for whom he endeavoured to get official British assistance. His childish pleasure in being the chief sponsor of this wild island struggling to become a nation led him to wear a Corsican costume at Garrick's anniversary celebration in honor of Shakespeare held in 1769.". Cox The Tour was highly praised by Dr. Johnson. In the present copy the folding map here placed before A6 is in the first state the 'Table of Contents' follows the 'Preface' cancel D2r is in the second state and cancel E2r in the first state Z3 is the usual cancel with recto and verso reset and misprints are as recorded by Pottle with those on pages 93 and 296 corrected. Cox I p. 138. Gaskell 473. NCBEL II 1211. Pottle 24. Rothschild 442. F. Glasgow: Printed By Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly, London, 1768. unknown
1785122700Sm. London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1785. Sm. 8vo iii-vii lacks half-title 1 524 1pp. Modern full diaper calf panelled in gilt backstrip stamped and lettered in gilt with 4 raised bands a lovely retrospective binding by Dusel. § First edition mixed issue; E3 E4 and M4 are cancels as usual; leaves I5 Q7 and U6 are in Pottle's second state. We first sold this copy in 2005 after Dusel rebound it. It makes a very attractive "gift" copy. "Though the Life is a vaster and richer piece of work no one will maintain that it displays Boswell's unique gift for biography better than the Tour. Indeed most lovers of Boswell will agree that the Tour as a whole is more consistently good than the Life; that is that nowhere in the Life could one find so many consecutive first-class pages as those that compose this book" Pottle 57. Rothschild 456. Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly hardcover books
17851245821785. London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1785. <br /> <br /> 8vo xx ii 1-534 1 advertisement for Life of Johnsonpp. Uncut in original boards; complete with half title and terminal blank. Backstrip sensitively restored boards soiled and worn at edges some dampstaining to front endpapers half title and title some loss to terminal blank bookplate; withal a very pleasing copy in a custom leather box.<br /> <br /> § Second edition revised and corrected. A lovely copy uncut in the original boards and uncommon thus. Pottle notes that the second edition was issued in boards at 6s. and also bound "All copies I have seen are full-bound in calf."<br /> <br /> Boswell's account of a three month tour of the Highlands and islands of Scotland which he made in the company of Samuel Johnson in 1773. Johnson's own account A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland had been published in 1775. While Johnson's book sticks to the sober description of topography and history that was expected from travel books of the time Boswell's book "has the chatty informality of a 'rough' guide: its focus is on Johnson as it describes his charged encounters with the native population whether humble cottagers or important personages like Lord Monboddo and Boswell's formidable father Lord Auchinleck" Oxford DNB.<br /> <br /> "The principal changes made in the second edition besides the correction of some printer's errors are the removal of a few errors of fact and a large number of slight verbal changes in the interest of grammar and elegance; the addition of the Contents two Appendixes and a number of notes explanatory or controversial; and the substitution pp. 165-6 of a softened account of the stay with Sir Alexander Macdonald for the too frank disclosures of the original narrative' Chapman p. xvii. As quoted in Pottle Boswell's Literary Career 59. unknown
1785022250London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly. . Contemporary calf. First Edition. With the half title and errata and advertisement leaf at the end. First state of p. 121 with in-induced. Provenance: From the library of notable book collector Sydney Ross with his bookplate. This anecdotal and vivid record of Boswells trip through Scotland with Johnson is a prelude to his later Life of Samuel Johnson. Rejointed two slips of bibliographical information tipped in inside the front cover two-inch tear along spine edge of front free endpaper with leaf slightly protruding else Very Good. . Very Good. Hardcover. 1st Edition. 1785. Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly hardcover
1769155832The Hague: Frederic Staatman 1769. First edition of the second French translation of Boswell's account of his travels to Corsica in 1765 in a contemporary binding. Issued within a year from the original English of 1768 it contributed to establishing Boswell's reputation and promoting the Corsican cause in France. It was Rousseau who urged Boswell to visit the relatively unknown Corsica then struggling for its independence from Genoa. Impressed by the qualities of its leader General Paoli Boswell campaigned in the British newspapers lobbied Pitt to intervene and personally sent thirty cannon to help. "With its reports of the gallant islanders and a Plutarchan depiction of Paoli paralleled with several classical heroes it was an immediate success. Though Boswell's ambition for British intervention was not to be fulfilled he probably influenced Britain's decision to send secret supplies of arms to the Corsicans" ODNB. This translation was made by Jean Paul Isaac Dubois then secretary to the Polish ambassador at the Hague. At the end a long note by Dubois praises Paoli's generosity and mercy. Another translation was published earlier the same year titled Etat de la Corse by Gabriel Seigneux de Correvon. Octavo in two parts 195 x 120 mm. With 1 engraved folding map of Corsica by A. I. Polak dated 1769 woodcut head- and tailpieces. Contemporary calf spine with raised bands gilt initials "G.V.A" stamped to head of spine floral tools to compartments light brown calf spine label Nonpareil pattern marbled endpapers edges sprinkled blue trace of a green silk bookmarker. Loss to headcap corners worn couple of small wormtrails to rear cover small intermittent light waterstain to upper margin otherwise bright and clean short closed tear to map stub just touching engraved frame. A very good and well-margined copy. STCN 21231212X; Cox 1769. hardcover
1768WRCLIT65296Glasgow: Printed by Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly 1768. xxiv382pp. plus folding map. Contemporary calf neatly rebacked to style raised bands gilt label. Bound with the half- title but without the terminal blank. Typical offsetting from binding to edges of endleaves map a bit offset to title leaf five leaves show an old tea spatter toward the marginswith some scattered foxing elsewhere still a good copy. First edition first form of the map as appropriate to the first edition without scale or marginal divisions E2 and Z3 cancels as usual with the former in the 'Istria' form; D2r is in the uncorrected state. One of 3500 copies printed. POTTLE 24. ROTHSCHILD 442. GASKELL FOULIS PRESS 473. ESTC T26157. Printed by Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly hardcover books
1768WRCLIT65295Glasgow: Printed by Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly 1768. xxiv382pp. plus folding map. Contemporary calf neatly rebacked to style raised bands gilt label. Bound with the half- title but without the terminal blank. Typical offsetting from binding to edges of endleaves map a bit offset to A1 with minor scattered foxing elsewhere forecorners worn small ink name on pastedown but a good copy. First edition first form of the map as appropriate to the first edition without scale or marginal divisions E2 and Z3 cancels as usual with the former in the 'Istria' form; D2r is in the uncorrected state. One of 3500 copies printed. With the bookplates of Thomas Arnold MD 1742 - 1816 and a descendant. "At the height of his power Thomas Arnold held a monopoly not only on the lunacy trade in Leicestershire but also together with his sons of the post of physician at Leicester Infirmary. A supporter of radical causes Arnold's career in Leicester was marked by his involvement in struggles for social status and political influence . Arnold's principal medical work is the two-volume OBSERVATIONS ON THE NATURE KINDS CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF INSANITY LUNACY OR MADNESS 1782 1786 which ran to two editions and a German translation. In it he abandoned the traditional humoral theories basing his classification on the ideas of Locke and separating disordered sensations from disordered reasoning. He helped to pioneer a new approach to insanity based on observed symptoms but his classification was too detailed to be practical and it never became popular. Arnold is representative of a shift towards the 'moral' treatment of the insane" - DNB. POTTLE 24. ROTHSCHILD 442. GASKELL FOULIS PRESS 473. ESTC T26157. Printed by Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly hardcover books
1768008513Glasgow: Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly in the Poultry London. An Account of Corsica the Journal of a Tour to that Island; and Memoirs of Pascal Paoli. Illustrated with a New and Accurate Map of Corsica. First edition first issue bound with scarce half title last leaf blank Z3 in uncorrected state all misprints present map in its first form without scale or degrees. Published Glasgow: Printed by Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly in the Poultry London 1768. 8vo. 5 1/2" x 8 5/16" xxi 1 blank 1 table of contents 1 blank 382 pp. 1 blank. Large folding engraved frontispiece map of Corsica by Thomas Phinn inserted between half title and title page. Engraved coat-of-arms on title-page. Table of Contents b2 follows the Preface a3-b1; Z3 in original state with "Maraina" typo; D2 in first state with the words "John Home" incorrectly placed following the first quotation on p. 51; E2 with "enjoying the noble fief of Is-tria"; Misprints present in original uncorrected state: "141" for "241" in the table of contents; broken "E" in "Etruscans" on p. 70 line 17 with the lower bar showing faintly; "feelirg" on p. 137 line 11; "tha the" on p. 172 line 9; "Montgomerÿ" on p. 184 line 4; "speculati-ions" on p. 327 lines 9-10. Full calf with raised bands and gilt ornamented spine with key design gilt edge decorations speckled edges to text block. Some chipping at the crown and heel outer hinges cracking wear at the tips else a very good copy. Internally near fine paper clean and bright. Map is very good with light offset toning and a partial closed tear along one of the folds. . Very Good. Hard. 1st. 1768. Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly in the Poultry, London unknown
1768719241768. BOSWELL James. An Account of Corsica the Journal of a Tour to that Island; and Memoirs of Pascal Paoli. Contemporary full speckled calf gilt-ruled raised spine bands red morocco spine label. Glasgow: Printed by Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly 1768. First edition. Pottle 24. With -title and first edition of the large folding map. Some wear to head of spine very small amount of faint scattered foxing else very good or better. unknown
1768030767Glasgow: Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly 1768. Book. Very Good. Hardcover. 1st Edition. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. Full leather gilt rebacked and rubbed at edges. Sporadic foxing on the interior. First edition. xxi 3 382pp. Contains a folding map that still has tape stains from an earlier repair and the newer repair has been done with archival quality materials. A small tear remains near the top and the edges are dirty. The map has neither a scale nor degrees in the margins. Gaskell 278-279 Also contains six manifestos in Corsican. Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly Hardcover
176830119London: For Edward and Charles Dilly in the Poultry 1768. The First English Edition the second overall in the same year as the first which was printed in Glasgow and ia essentially identical. With fine provenance a Baskerville family copy with bookplate showing one of their crests and their motto Spero ut Fidelis "Illustrated with a new and accurate map of Corsica" an exceptionally well detailed well pressed and attractive large folding engraved map bound at the front. With half-title which is frequently lacking title-page with engraved vignette featuring the arms of Corsica. 8vo handsomely bound in full contemporary calf the spine with double gilt ruled raised bands one compartment gilt lettered the boards framed with double-fillet gilt rules board edges hatched in blind original endleaves. xxiii 384 pp. A handsome copy well preserved in its original binding with the text in fine condition especially fresh and clean and with strong impression the leaves unpressed and the binding sturdy and tight with just a bit of minor wear or rubbing along the tips and shoulders some normal offset to a few prelims and end leaves from the original binder's work. The folding map is in a fine state of preservation unusually so. THE FIRST ENGLISH PRINTING OF BOSWELL'S FIRST SIGNIFICANT WORK ONE WHICH WOULD HELP LAUNCH HIS FAME AS ONE OF THE FINEST MEN OF LETTERS OF HIS AGE. This edition was published only months after the first edition which was an immediate success and sold out within six weeks. This edition also sold out within weeks.<br> Boswell supported the Corsican struggle to become an independent nation and considered himself one of the island's chief sponsors. "Following the island's invasion by France in 1768 Boswell attempted to raise public awareness and rally support for the Corsicans. He sent arms and money to the Corsican fighters and made an arduous and dangerous journey to Corsica to meet General Pasquale Paoli leader of the insurgents seeking the island's independence from the Genoese. Paoli at first suspected Boswell was a spy but quickly came to like his improbable young visitor saw an opportunity for promotion of the Corsican cause in Britain and consented to a series of interviews" - Pierce<br> The text includes Boswell's keen observations on many topics including military matters and arms commerce government and religion. It also includes many accounts of his own experiences.<br> Boswell was rightfully very proud of this work. Within his lifetime it went through many many editions. Within just a short time of its original appearance it had been translated into Dutch Italian German and French; and sold as well abroad as it did in Britain. It was in fact a most remarkable success and the first step towards one of the most distinguished literary careers of the age.<br> Concerning the provenance it has been claimed that the family of Baskerville can trace descent from the Emperor Charlemagne Hugh Capet King of France Kenneth King of Scotland Rodrick King of Wales and MacMorrough King of Leinster in Ireland. The Baskervilles have a truly royal ancestry and their pedigree which has been authentically deduced and duly registered in the College of Arms is a large one. Burke writes of the family as 'one of the most ancient and honorable in England.<br> Their connection with Herefordshire began with the ancestor who came over to help William the Conqueror from Normandy. For Edward and Charles Dilly in the Poultry hardcover
179333744London: Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly 1793. 3 volumes. First Octavo Edition revised and augmented by Boswell with the corrections cancels and misprints. This copy also with the "Additions received after the Second Edition was printed" pp. i-xxii "A Chronological Catalogue of the Prose Works of Samuel Johnson LL.D" which is the first attempt at a Johnson bibliography pp. xxiii- xxxi and thirteen letters to Bennet Langton and one to the Earl of Bute. Most of this material was issued here for the first time and was not in the first edition quarto. Engraved portrait frontispiece after the painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Also with the folding ‘Round Robin’ plate and a folding plate of with a facsimile of Dr. Johnson's handwriting. 8vo handsomely bound to style the bindings of three-quarter tan calf over marbled paper covered boards the spines gilt decorated and gilt lettered within compartments separated by raised bands. portrait titlexviii ixvii-xxxii xxxix Alphabetical Table of Contents xxxiii-xxxvi 603; 634; 711 pp. A fine and handsome copy well preserved the bindings in very pleasing condition with only very slight mellowing at the spine panels tight and strong with virtually no wear the text-blocks crisp clean and unpressed. IMPORTANT PRINTING OF THE FIRST OCTAVO EDITION IN HANDSOME BINDING. The first 8vo edition of what is perhaps the greatest biography ever written in the English language. The "chronological catalogue of the prose works of Samuel Johnson" appears in this edition for the first time. This set with the alphabetical table of contents before the text rather than at the end of volume 3 as is often the case and with the scarce leaves of corrections and additions following the contents.<br> 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.<br> 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. Printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly hardcover
17688282Glasgow Printed by Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly London 1768. 1768 xxi 3 382 p. Folding map of Corsica. First edition. Modern calf binding to style. The spine with raised bands and a contrasting label. The map has a repair on the fold near the cartouche and is the state with the imprint inserted but with neither scale nor degrees round the border. Marginal offset onto the adjacent page shows that the map was refolded when it was repaired otherwise the text is clean tight and well margined throughout. Glasgow, Printed by Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly, London, hardcover
179923381London: printed by H. Baldwin and Son for Charles Dilly 1799. First Malone edition 4 volumes 8vo pp. xxxi 1 452; 2 490; 2 475; 2 514; engraved frontispiece portrait by Baker after Reynolds folding engraved facsimile of Johnson's handwriting folding engraved Round Robin plate; labels gone on all but the last volume but generally a very good sound copy in contemporary full calf. The second edition was something of a botched effort by Boswell and the result was a book "painfully at variance with his own standards of ordered arrangement" although much new important material was added. It was left to Malone to "shake together" Boswell's second and the third "is now generally regarded as the definitive edition" Pottle. Pottle 82. <br/><br/> printed by H. Baldwin and Son for Charles Dilly unknown books
179366491London: printed by Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly in the Poultry 1793. First London octavo third edition overall following the first of 1791 and the Dublin octavo of 1792; 3 volumes pp. 2 xviii xvii-xxxix 1 i-xxxvi 2 603 1; 2 634; 2 711 1; frontispiece portrait folding "Round Robin" plate folding facsimile of Johnson's handwriting; original blue paper-covered boards roan shelfbacks titles printed in black on spines mostly rubbed away on volumes I and II; spines rubbed and worn with chips out at the tops and bottoms joints cracked; good copy at best but uncommon in original boards uncut. This copy has the extra leaf c3 in volume one with "additional corrections" and all the misprints identified by Rothschild with the exception that page 408 of volume three is printed incorrectly. "The text of the second edition . deserves a close study. Although we believe that the third represents the form in which Boswell would ultimately have arranged the supplementary material we can never be sure of it for this edition was the last actually published in his lifetime. There were also many pleasant and characteristic sentences introduced in this edition which naturally dropped out when the text was shaken together by Malone." Pottle 81. Rothschild 468. printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, in the Poultry unknown
