Letters To and From the Late Samuel Johnson. To Which Are Added Some Poems Never Before Printed. Published From the Original Manuscript in Her Possession by Hester Lynch Poizzi.

JOHNSON, [Dr] Samuel (1709-1784).

London: Printed for A. Strahan; and T. Cadell, 1788. [Letters] FINELY BOUND FIRST EDITION, with scarce errata slip to p.xvi. Two volumes uniformly bound. Octavo (21 x 14cm), pp.[iv]; xv; [1]; 397; [3], pp.[ii]; xi; [1]; 424; [1]. Brown half-calf with marbled paper over boards, red label to spine lettered in gilt, gilt numberings to spine, raised bands and further gilt tooling to spine. All edges speckled brown. Spotting throughout, mostly toward endpapers and preliminaries (spotting heavier in vol. I). Very good indeed. A beautifully rebound collection of Johnson's letters that provide an intriguing insight into his rather eccentric character. In Volume II pages 310-312 he writes to Mrs Thrale rather pleased she has the 'leisure' to inquire about the science of air-balloons. He finishes his letter with the remark, 'the gout is now trying at my feet', but remaining upbeat about his health in general and good appetite. To p.xvi, there is a scarce errata slip which notes the errors for volumes one and two. Item #69314

Price: £450.00