BOSWELL, James (1740-1795). The Life of Samuel Johnson. London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly, 1791. [With:] The Principal Corrections and Additions to the First Edition of Mr. Boswell's Life of Dr. Johnson. London: 1793.
Sale 800 - Fine Books and Manuscripts
Lots 1-273
Nov 12, 2020
4:00AM CT
Lots 274-476
Nov 13, 2020
4:00AM CT
Live / Chicago
Estimate
$1,500 -
$2,500
Sold for $3,750
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Lot Description
BOSWELL, James (1740-1795). The Life of Samuel Johnson. London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly, 1791. [With:] The Principal Corrections and Additions to the First Edition of Mr. Boswell's Life of Dr. Johnson. London: 1793.
2 volumes, 4to (271 x 205 mm). Frontispiece portrait, 2 engraved plates with facsimiles of signatures. (Occasional spotting). 20th-century dark blue levant gilt, spine in 6 compartments with 5 raised bands, gilt-lettered in 2, the rest gilt-decorated, edges gilt, STAMP SIGNED BY BIRDSALL (slightly rubbed); blue morocco-backed slipcase and chemise gilt.
FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE with the expected "give" reading on vol. 1, p.135, l.10, all 7 cancels, and imprint intact below the portrait. Boswell's biography, published 16 May 1791, achieved immediate acclaim; it has never been out of print. The Corrections were published concurrently with the second edition of the Life. ESTC T064481; Grolier English 65; Rothschild 463, 466.
Property from a Private Collection, Chicago, Illinois
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