Books

Handsome set with dark blue leather spine and corners. Marbled paper over boards, marbled foredges. Gold decorations on the spine, along with red leather labels with titles in gold. Bindings good and tight, with some rubbing to boards and some bumps to corners, very light wear to hinges. An early binding (likely from right at or shortly after publication). Two sets from the same publisher and in the same binding. The Life of Samuel Johnson in 4 volumes. 1826. Bookplate on the inside cover of each volume in the form of a printed letter to R. N. Rick, esq, from the Officers and Employees of the Michigan Central Railroad, dated August 31, 1867. It's a most remarkable note, "deeply regretting your determination to retire from your position as General Superintendent." The present that they have decided to give him are "additions to your library," in the form of a check for $3,208. Each bookplate hand-numbered. Boswell's Life of Johnson in 4 volumes. Then, "The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D in Nine Volumes." [title page states "in nine volumes" but there are actually 11. Complete. Volumes are titled on the spines, 1) Poems Letters. 2) Rambler 1-105. 3) Rambler 106-208. 4) Adventurer Idler. 5) Miscellaneous Pieces. 6) Letters &c Lives of Em. Persons. 7) English Poets. 8) English Poets. 9) Journey to the Hebrides &c. 10) Debates 1740-1741. 11) Debates 1741-1743. Very attractive, although not in a glossy Easton Press sort of way. Please email with questions or to request photos. Extra shipping will be required to ship the complete set.

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.