The Life of Samuel Johnson, Comprehending an account of his studies, and numerous works, in chronological order;.... (4 Vols Complete) BOSWELL James 1740-1795 Publisher: T Cadell and W Davies Publish Year: 1811 Publish Place: London Illustrator: Unknown Category: Miscellaneous, Foreign Travel, Antiquarian Book, History, Reference Book No: 003418 Status: For Sale Book Condition: Very Good Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall Jacket Condition: Unknown Binding: Hardcover Book Type: Unknown Edition: Sixth Edition Inscription: Unknown £95 Add to Basket Ask a question Refer to a friend Additional information VG, 1811, in contemporary honeycombed calf, gilt lines to edges, corners and edges a little worn and bumped. All spines have been professionally relaid, raised bands, gilt tooling and title, edges a little worn and bumped. Internally all have red marbled endpapers, some offsetting and minimal foxing to prelims. Vol 1, frontis of Johnson dated 1756, [2], (xxxvii), [1], 481 pp, 2 pull out sheets. Vol 2, [2], 496 pp. Vol 3, [2], 483 pp. Vol 4, [2], 530 pp, all printed in London by C Baldwin of New Bridge St. A lovely set. lawyer, diarist, and biographer of Samuel Johnson, published his Life of and on 13 May forty-one London booksellers purchased more than 400 sets (of two large quarto volumes), and on 16 May, the twenty-eighth anniversary of his first meeting with Johnson in Davies's back parlour, the biography was published. Sales exceeded all expectations. Of a total of 1750 sets printed, 800 were sold in the first two weeks, 1200 by the end of August, 1400 by December, and 1600 by August 1792. see ODNB for a full Bio. (210*129 mm). (see Kent 152. Allibone 978. Pottle 174).
