Johnson, Charles

folio, FIRST EDITION, catchword "As" on the first page of the introduction, title page printed in red and black, 26 plates, woodcut initials and ornaments, full red morocco by Bedford, ruled in gilt with floral sprays at each corner, spine gilt in compartments, gilt dentelles, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers, joints and head and foot of spine rubbed, occasional light browning

Robert Hoe III (1839-1909), New York, businessman and bibliophile, booklabel; sale of his library, Anderson Auction Company, 8 January 1912, lot 1797

ESTC T127401

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where 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."

Johnson's famous compilation of excerpts from Alexander Smith's History of the Lives of the Most Noted Highwaymen (1714) and Johnson's own earlier publication A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the most Notorious Pyrates (1724). The book was published in seventy-two weekly numbers. "Charles Johnson" is thought to be pseudonym, and although his work was attributed to Defoe in the 1930s, this claim has since been generally rejected.