JOHNSON, Samuel (1709-1784). A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland. London: Printed for W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1775.

The first edition of this record of Johnson and Boswell's journey in the summer and autumn of 1773. Johnson, who was then 63 years old, had rarely travelled outside of London; his account is a detailed piece of cultural anthropology. Courtney & Smith, pp. 122-23, Fleeman 75.1J/1a, Rothschild 1256.

Octavo (213 x 125mm). Errata leaf with 12 lines at rear, two cancel leaves as called for (D8 and U4). Contemporary calf, gilt spine in six compartments, red morocco spine label (some wear along joints).

[Together with:] JOHNSON, Samuel (1709-1784). A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland. London: Printed for W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1775. Second edition, first issue, with six-line errata. Fleeman, 75.1J/2a. Octavo (205 x 120mm). Modern calf gilt. Provenance: (for the second edition:) Henry A. Hoffman (bookplate) – Christie’s New York, 9 December 1998, lot 54.