JOHNSON, Samuel (1709--1784)
[Lives of the English poets. 1781]
The lives of the most eminent English poets; with critical observations on their works. By Samuel Johnson. In four volumes. ...
London: printed for C. Bathurst, J. Buckland, W. Strahan, J. Rivington and Sons, T. Davies [and 31 others in London], 1781.
4 vols ; 20.4 cm. (8º)
I: vii, [1], 480 p., engr. frontis. port.
II: iii, [1], 471, [1] p.
III: iii, [1], 462 p.
IV: iii, [1], 503, [1] p.

First issued as Prefaces, biographical and critical, to the works of the English poets (q.v.) to accompany a new collection of the works of the English poets, 1779--1781 (q.v.). This is the first separate London edition, with an engraved portrait after Joshua Reynolds. The Soane copy as described is without the final advertisement leaf for books published by J. Nichols found in some copies of vol. IV. ESTC t146734; Courtney & Smith, p. 141; Chapman & Hazen, p. 159.

Copy Notes Error in vol. IV contents 'Waller' corrected in pencil to 'Mallet'. Volume I front free-endpaper inscribed in pencil in the hand of the bookseller Thomas Boone 4 Vols =16s=, and with his hieroglyph -n-.

Binding C18th sprinkled calf, gilt-ruled spine, red morocco spine-labels.

Reference Number 769