JOHNSON, Samuel. The Lives of the English Poets; and a Criticism on their Works. Dublin: Printed for Messrs. Whitestone, Williams, Colles, Wilson, Lynch, Jenkin, Walker, Burnet, Hallhead, Flin, Exshaw, Beatty, and White, 1779–1781. Three volumes, octavo. First Dublin edition, first issue; Volume I in the first state. First separate edition.
Complete. Vol. I: [4], 536 pp. Vol. II: [4], 496 pp. Vol. III: [4], 399 pp.
An attractive three-volume set of one of Samuel Johnson's major works, preserved in contemporary uniform tree calf and with distinguished eighteenth-century provenance.
The Dublin edition appeared in three volumes, the first dated 1779 and the remaining two 1781. It is generally regarded as the first separate edition of Johnson's Lives, preceding the authorised separate London edition of 1781. The essays had originated as biographical and critical prefaces for a large edition of the English poets, but developed into substantial studies combining biography, literary history and Johnson's characteristically incisive criticism.
Provenance
John Baker Holroyd, Lord Sheffield (1735–1821), Sheffield Place, Sussex, with his large engraved armorial bookplate to the front pastedown of each volume.
Sheffield was a politician, writer and close friend of Edward Gibbon. Gibbon spent considerable time at Sheffield Place and died there in 1794; Sheffield subsequently acted as his literary executor and edited his autobiographical writings and correspondence. The survival of all three volumes with Sheffield's matching armorial bookplate gives the set a particularly attractive literary provenance.
The volumes remain in their contemporary tree-calf bindings, the boards enclosed by gilt roll borders. The spines are divided into gilt compartments incorporating repeated lyre tools, with red morocco lettering and numbering pieces. All edges gilt.
Condition
Contemporary uniform tree calf, rubbed and marked with age, but retaining an attractive overall appearance. Boards with scattered scratches, abrasions and surface wear; corners and extremities rubbed. Spines rubbed with some loss to the morocco labels and gilt decoration.
Volume II lacks the headcap, exposing the headband and upper spine lining. The heads of Volumes I and III are also chipped and worn, with lesser wear and small losses at the tail ends. Some additional rubbing and cracking to the spine leather. All edges gilt, now somewhat dulled and rubbed.
Internally generally clean, with occasional light spotting, toning and minor signs of use. Engraved armorial bookplate of John Lord Sheffield to the front pastedown of each volume.
Complete in three volumes.
Bibliographical Note
The 1779–81 Dublin edition is bibliographically distinct from the later Dublin reissue with altered title pages and from the authorised London edition of 1781. With “partaking his posterity” on p. 4, “Milton” for “Butler” in the headline on Q8v, and pp. 143–144 repeated on L1. Volumes II and III are also first issue, with title-pages without the later oval vignettes.
Reference
ESTC T116665. Fleeman 79.4LP/2a(i) and 79.4LP/6a; Courtney & Smith, p. 141.
