{"product_id":"samuel-johnson-the-lives-of-the-english-poets-first-dublin-edition-1779-81-lord-sheffield-copy","title":"Samuel Johnson – The Lives of the English Poets – First Dublin Edition, 1779–81 – Lord Sheffield Copy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJOHNSON, Samuel.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Lives of the English Poets; and a Criticism on their Works.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 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 \u003cstrong\u003efirst state\u003c\/strong\u003e. First separate edition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eComplete. \u003cstrong\u003eVol. I:\u003c\/strong\u003e [4], 536 pp. \u003cstrong\u003eVol. II:\u003c\/strong\u003e [4], 496 pp. \u003cstrong\u003eVol. III:\u003c\/strong\u003e [4], 399 pp.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn attractive three-volume set of one of Samuel Johnson's major works, preserved in contemporary uniform tree calf and with distinguished eighteenth-century provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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 \u003cem\u003eLives\u003c\/em\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Baker Holroyd, Lord Sheffield (1735–1821)\u003c\/strong\u003e, Sheffield Place, Sussex, with his large engraved armorial bookplate to the front pastedown of each volume.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSheffield 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContemporary 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVolume 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInternally 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComplete in three volumes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBibliographical Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 1779–81 Dublin edition is bibliographically distinct from the later Dublin reissue with altered title pages and from the authorised London edition of 1781.  \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eWith “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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReference\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eESTC T116665. \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eFleeman 79.4LP\/2a(i) and 79.4LP\/6a; Courtney \u0026amp; Smith, p. 141.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Reservoir Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58132494385534,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1018\/4464\/8318\/files\/IMG_1144.jpg?v=1790772069","url":"https:\/\/reservoirbooks.store\/products\/samuel-johnson-the-lives-of-the-english-poets-first-dublin-edition-1779-81-lord-sheffield-copy","provider":"Reservoir Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}