Beschreibung:

BOSWELL, James (1740-1795). The Life of Samuel Johnson. London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly, 1791.
BOSWELL, James (1740-1795). The Life of Samuel Johnson. London: Henry Baldwin for Charles Dilly, 1791. 2 volumes, 4 o (295 x 203 mm). Engraved portrait of Johnson by James Heath after Sir Joshua Reynolds 2 engraved plates of facsimiles by H. Shepherd. (Some scattered light foxing.) Contemporary half calf and boards, uncut (joints cracked); half morocco slipcase. Provenance : W. Strong (small bookplate and a letter signed by the publisher (?) J. Parsons laid in); J. Robinson (signature). FIRST EDITION, FIRST STATE, with "gve" on p.135 in vol. I; Mm4 and Nn1 in volume I and E3, Oo4, Qq3, Zz1 and Eee2 in volume II are cancels. Boswell's great biography was published 16 May 1791 and achieved immediate critical acclaim. It has not been out of print since. [ Laid in :] The London Chronicle. No. 5414. May 5, 1791. Includes an advertisment of Boswells Life of Samuel Johnson. Grolier English 65; Rothschild 463; Tinker 338.