Descrizione

Rare First Edition, First State of James Boswell's first important book. A copy with excellent provenance, the Rokeby Park, John Bacon Sawrey Morritt original bookplate is present as well as the bookplate of Giannalisa Feltrinelli. This copy also in Rothschild's first state, with the words "John Home" incorrectly placed following the first quotation on p. 51; E2 and Z3 are cancels, with "Mariani" spelled correctly (line 24, p. 357). The additional misprints cited by Pottle are also present: "141" for "241" in the table of contents; broken "E" in "Etruscans" on p. 70, line 17; "feelirg" on p. 137, line 11; "tha the" on p. 172, line 9; "Montgomerÿ" on p. 184, line 4; "speculati-ions" on p. 327, lines 9-10. Pages 93 and 296 are correctly printed (the last words of line 6, p.93, are "prince of" and of line 18, p.296, "of my own"). "Illustrated with a new and accurate map of Corsica." This being an exceptionally well detailed and attractive large folding engraved map bound at the front. With half-title, which is frequently lacking, title-page with engraved vignette featuring the arms of Corsica. 8vo (205 x 120 mm.), in full contemporary calf, the spine with simple gilt ruled raised bands, one compartment with brown morocco label gilt lettered, the boards framed with gilt double-rules, board edges hatched in blind xxiii, 384pp. A fine copy of the text, especially fresh and clean, a strong impression, unpressed and very sturdy and tight, a bit of offset on the final leaf and half-title and a bit from the map to the titlepage, the binding handsome and firm but with a bit of minor wear or rubbing along the tips and shoulders. The folding map is in a fine state of preservation, unusually so.