A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland.
London: W. Strahan; and T. Cadell, 1775.
Price: $500.00
About the item
Second edition, first issue, with 6-line errata and U4 corrected (as opposed to first edition) and the first two preliminary leaves on laid paper (as opposed to second edition, second issue, on wove). [ii], 384, [2, errata] pp. 8vo. Contemporary calf, rebacked to style preserving red morocco spine label. Foxing to first and last few leaves, small closed tear to lower margin of B1, a very good copy, with two engraved armorial bookplates. Fleeman 75.1J/2a (citing Todd, “The Printing of Johnson's Journey”, SB vi 1954, 247-54).
Item #302446
"I had desired to visit the Hebrides … and was … induced to undertake the journey, by finding in Mr. Boswell a companion …" Though Johnson's name does not appear on the title-page, the opening sentence left no doubt in the minds of his earliest readers who the author was. This edition is frequently referred to as the first edition, second issue; but it was largely reset, and incorporates Johnson's final revisions. The errata leaf in this copy is bound in at the rear.
