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BOSWELL, James (1740-1795). The Life of Samuel Joh

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London: Printed by Henry Baldwin, for Charles Dilly, 1791. 2 volumes. 4to (270 x 215 mm). Engraved portrait of Johnson by James Heath after Sir Joshua Reynolds, 2 engraved facsimile plates by H. Shepherd. Contemporary tree calf, covers ruled in gilt, spines tooled in gilt with red and black morocco lettering labels in gilt, custom morocco backed box. Condition: spotting and foxing, worse at preliminary and final leaves, intermittent throughout, early strengthening to hinges; shelfwear, minor rubbing to spines. Provenance: Robert John Verney, Lord Willoughby de Broke (bookplate); John Peyto Verney Lord Willoughby de Broke (bookplate). first edition, first issue reading "gve" on page 135, line 10 of volume I. This, the most famous biography of all time, was published in a small edition of only about 1700 copies. "Homer is not the more decidedly the first of heroic epics, Shakespeare is not more decidedly the first of the dramatists, Demosthenes is not more sensibly the first of the orators, that Boswell is the first of the biographers." (Macaulay). Boswell dedicated years to the study of Johnson's life and through his biography skyrocketed Johnson's reputation from that of an important figure in English Literature, to a true household name. Since its release in 1791 it has not gone out of print. Pottle 79. Rothschild 463.

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