[Johnson, Samuel]

folio (340 x 217mm.), 19pp., first edition, one of approximately 500 copies, rebound in modern pale blue wrappers, preserved in card chemise inside antique-style quarter calf marbled boards, tiny hole in title page affecting a letter in the imprint, tiny hole to margin of E1, final leaf slightly dusty, some very minor browning

The prime minister, author and bibliophile Archibald, 5th Earl of Rosebery and Midlothian, K.G., K.T. (1847-1929); sale of books and manuscripts from his English library, Sotheby's, 29 October 2009, lot 89 (part)

Foxon J76; Fleeman 38.5L/1a; Courtney, pp. 7-8; Rothschild 1216; CBEL II, 1128.

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

First edition of Samuel Johnson's first separate original publication, for which he received ten guineas. He later told Boswell that Paul Whitehead had recently received the same sum, "and I would not take less than Paul Whitehead." The poem is closely based on Juvenal's original, with London substituted for Rome. "Although London came out anonymously, the identity of the author was soon discovered. The greatest living English poet, Alexander Pope, whose versions of Horace had recently pushed the ‘imitation’ of classical models to a new level of sophistication and daring, quickly recognized the merits of the poem and sought out the name of its creator." (Oxford DNB). Gray described this poem as "one of those few imitations that have all the ease and all the spirit of an original."