Books

200mm x 150mm (8" x 6"). xxxvi, 603pp, 34pp, 711pp. Engraved frontis plate of Samuel Johnson after Joshua Reynolds (volume 1); folding plates (volume 2 and to rear of volume 3). First octavo edition of Boswell's 'Life of Johnson'. Published April 3rd 1793 Second Edition, second state: v.1 p.135 line 10 states 'give' as in corrected version. Front endpaper of volume 1 with pasted copperplate inscription relating to Francis Barber, Dr. Johnson's manservant and heir: 'Francis Barber the faithful valued black son of Dr Samuel Johnson who died in the infirmary of Stafford February 13th 1801' Previous owner's name (John Darlington) and date of 1853 to feps. Heavy item - shipping supplement may apply for overseas. G : in good condition without dust jackets as issued. Minor rubbing and wear to boards - volume 2 with sm. area of loss to leather on front board. Previous owner's inscriptions to feps. Corner tear to pp17-18 (vol 1) with no loss to text. Ink dedication laid-in to volume 1.

James Boswell's 'The Life of Samuel Johnson' is regarded as one of the greatest biographies written in the English language. It provides an in-depth and vivid recounting of the life of Samuel Johnson, a writer and critic who was a towering figure in 18th-century British literature.