The Life of Samuel Johnson, Comprehending an account of his studies, and numerous works, in chronological order;. (4 Vols Complete)

BOSWELL James 1740-1795

Published by T Cadell and W Davies, London, 1811

About this Item

VG, 1811, in contemporary honeycombed calf, gilt lines to edges, corners and edges a little worn and bumped. All spines have been professionally relaid, raised bands, gilt tooling and title, edges a little worn and bumped. Internally all have red marbled endpapers, some offsetting and minimal foxing to prelims. Vol 1, frontis of Johnson dated 1756, [2], (xxxvii), [1], 481 pp, 2 pull out sheets. Vol 2, [2], 496 pp. Vol 3, [2], 483 pp. Vol 4, [2], 530 pp, all printed in London by C Baldwin of New Bridge St. A lovely set. lawyer, diarist, and biographer of Samuel Johnson, published his Life of and on 13 May forty-one London booksellers purchased more than 400 sets (of two large quarto volumes), and on 16 May, the twenty-eighth anniversary of his first meeting with Johnson in Davies's back parlour, the biography was published. 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 1792. see ODNB for a full Bio. (210*129 mm). (see Kent 152. Allibone 978. Pottle 174).

Seller Inventory # 003418

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Life of Samuel Johnson, Comprehending an account of his studies, and numerous works, in chronological order;. (4 Vols Complete)
• Publisher: T Cadell and W Davies, London
• Publication Date: 1811
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: Sixth Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Weight: 3.7 kilograms
• Seller catalogs:
  • Biography Pedigrees Heraldry
  • Bibliography and Reference