Books

A lovely complete set of the first illustrated edition (1835), bound in the late 19th century in a full tan morocco by the formidable Zaehnsdorf Bindery of London (for the Gardenside Bookshop of Boston). Intricate gilt-tooling and design within the compartments, 3 separate offsetting dark-brown leather labels along each spine. Just the faintest touch of light soiling to several of the panels, lavish former owner bookplates (The McGinley family of Wilton, Connecticut) at each front pastedown and facing front free endpaper. Uniform 16mos, top-edges gilt, wonderful full-page engravings complementing Boswell's immortal text throughout. (Continuing from the title page: "To Which Are Added, Anecdotes by Hawkins, Piozzi, Murphy, Tyers, Reynolds, Steevens, &c -- And Notes by Various Hands").

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.