Books

The complete collection of works by the famous English writer, Samuel Johnson, with an additional three volumes of biography. A new edition. In full calf binding with gilt detail. The complete twelve volume set of Samuel Johnson's works, with an essay on his life and genius by Arthur Murray. Showcasing the variety of Johnson's publications; from poetry to prose, essays and plays. Including famous works such as articles from 'The Rambler' and 'The Adventurer', 'A Journey to the Western Isles of Scotland', and 'The Plan of an English Dictionary'. With an engraved frontispiece by Sir Joshua Reynolds, to volume one, and an advertisement by Alex Chalmers to the front of the book. Alongside three volumes from the four volume set of 'The Life of Samuel Johnson' by James Boswell. A detailed biography of Johnson's life. With an engraved frontispiece by Sir Joshua Reynolds and a fold out plate with facsimiles of Johnson's hand writing. With advertisements for the first to the fifth editions. Each volume has the previous owner's bookplate to the front paste-down. In full calf binding. Externally, smart with shelf wear and rubbing to the edges and spine. Marks to the panels. Hinges strained but firm. Front hinge of volume one of the biographical set is weak, but still firm. Previous owner's bookplates to the front paste-downs. Some light offsetting to the edges of the free endpapers. Internally firmly bound. Binding strained towards the front of several volumes, but still intact. Pages generally bright and clean with the occasional mark and a few scattered spots throughout. Spotting heavier in volumes three, four, five, seven, ten and eleven of the set of works. The odd closed tear throughout. Offsetting and spotting to the frontispieces and title pages of both sets. Offsetting surrounding the fold out plate in Volume three of the biographical works and to the rear blank of volume five from the set of works. Some creasing towards the front of volume seven and rear of volume nine. A few pages in volume twelve are uncut. Very Good.

Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. is a biography of Dr. Samuel Johnson written by James Boswell. It is regarded as an important stage in the development of the modern genre of biography and has been described as the greatest biography written in English.