The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. [12 volumes]

London, Eng: Luke Hansard & Sons, 1810. Hardcover. Very Good. Fittler, James. A New Edition, in Twelve Volumes. With an Essay on his Life and Genius, by Arthur Murphy. Printed by Luke Hansard & Sons [vols. 9-12 printed by J. Nichols and Son] for J. Nichols and Son; F. & C. Rivington [etc]. 12 volumes: vol. 1 has engraved frontispiece portrait by James Fittler after Sir Joshua Reynolds; 23 cm. Contemporary full polished calf with six spine compartments between raised bands. Gilt-tooled title in second compartment reading "Johnson's Works" and gilt-tooled volume number in fifth compartment, with gilt-tooled and blind-tooled decoration in the remaining compartments. Decorative border on each board consisting of double blind rules and a decorative blind roll, with a gilt dot at each corner at the intersection of the double blind rules; gilt-tooled decoration on the edges at the corners. Gilt-tooled Greek key pattern on all turn-ins. All page edges are marbled; marbled endpapers. Former owner's inscription at head of each title page: Wm. Blakenay, Edgbaston. A scarce and nicely printed edition of the works of Samuel Johnson, complete in 12 volumes. In Very Good Condition: spines are slightly darkened, with light cracking; loss of small amount of leather at head of many of the spines; some joints just starting to crack; edges of boards rubbed and the corners rubbed through; a few small scrapes of boards; vol. 1 frontispiece offset onto the title page, as usual; vol. 4 has a stain on the front board; part of leather on first raised band on vol. 6 lacking; occasional foxing; otherwise pages are clean and bright. A solid, very nicely bound set. This set weighs 20 lbs--please contact us regarding additional cost for international shipping or expedited domestic shipping.