THE RAMBLER

London: J. Payne and J. Bouquet, 1750-52. FIRST EDITION of parts 2-208 (March 24, 1750 through March 17, 1752), WITH FIRST ISSUE TITLE PAGE IN VOLUME I (issued 1751), 1751 reprint of No. 1 with "preceding numbers" reference in colophon (Fleeman I, p. 196), FIRST ISSUE of parts 2-4 without additional line, A THIRD OF THE ISSUES WITH ORIGINAL FOLDS (from delivery) faintly visible. 290 x 175 mm. (11 1/2 x 7"). Without title page in volume II, otherwise complete. Two volumes..
19th century half calf over marbled boards, raised bands, spine panels with black floral stamps, one maroon and one brown morocco label, marbled endpapers. Publisher's device on each title page, historiated headpieces, tailpieces, and initials. Occasional neat ink annotations or marginal lines beside paragraphs. Fleeman 50.3R/1a; Courtney & Smith, pp. 25-30; Rothschild 1234. ◆Joints and extremities a bit rubbed, boards slightly chafed, leaves apparently lightly washed and pressed (but everything still quite fresh), a small percentage of the issues (one in 10?) with varying degrees of browning or foxing (almost always minor), other trivial imperfections, but a really excellent copy, clean and pleasing internally, and in attractive, solid bindings.

This is a very desirable copy of one of the great serial publications in English literature, comprising the complete run of 208 issues, the final 207 being original numbers (with the first issue being a reprint from the following year, as is often the case). The "Rambler," published on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 20 March 1750 until 4 March 1752, represents a watershed in English periodicals, standing between the "Tatler," "Spectator," and "Guardian" of Addison and Steele on the one hand, and the group of publications inspired by it on the other. With the "Spectator," it is one of the two great periodicals of the 18th century. The original numbers were not especially popular, a fact resulting from (and/or contributing to) the publication's small press runs of no more than 500. But, as Graham says, "it elevated Johnson in the opinions of his contemporaries, as an author and moral philosopher, and made its way slowly to a secure place in the world of letters."

The essays were remarkably original, as Johnson managed to find "endless texts for commentary and timely admonition. In particular, Johnson was attracted by subjects pertaining to the personal concerns of men of letters, the miseries and dangers of literary ambition, the relations of authors with the public in the years when declining patronage of literary genius made the profession of writing a hazardous one. No periodical author before him so often dwelt upon the literary profession, its disappointments, anxieties, and rewards." Although Johnson was responsible for almost everything that appeared in "The Rambler," Boswell's "Life" indicates that the good doctor did have help with some numbers. Boswell says--and the early owner of our copy confirms with his marginal notes here--that Miss Mulso ("now Mrs. Chapone") helped with number 10, Mrs. Catharine Talbot with number 30, Samuel Richardson with 44, and Mrs. Elizabeth Carter with 44 and 100. It's a pleasing feature that many of the numbers bound into our two volumes still show the (very faint) fold as a reflection of the form of their original delivery..