The Life of Samuel Johnson

Comprehending an account of his studies and numerous works, in chronological order... A new edition, elucidated by copious notes, and illustrated with numerous portraits, views, and characteristic designs, engraved from authentic sources

London: Office of the National illustrated library, 1851.

Four volumes, complete. 8vo. pp xxxii, [33]-320, [8]; vii, [8]-306; viii, 298; viii, [9]-298, [2]. Each volume has a frontispiece (behind clear tissue-guards) and an additional titlepage with portrait vignette. Volumes 1 and 4 have publisher's advertisements bound at the end. Bound in half-calf over marbled boards with ornate gilt spines and dark red morocco labels by Lewis & Harris booksellers, Bath, bindings signed. Top edges of the pages gilt. Mild and scattered spots of foxing, mainly to endpapers. Ownership name to each vol in neat ink hand. A handsome library set of the magisterial biography of the great Dr Johnson, creator of the first authoritative dictionary in the English language in 1755.