BOSWELL, James (1740-1795). William Pitt, the Grocer of London; An Excellent New Ballad, Written by James Boswell, Esq. And sung by him at Guildhall on Lord-Mayor's Day, 1790; When after the Alarms of War interrupting our Commerce, an honourable Peace was announced. [London, 1790].
BOSWELL, James (1740-1795). William Pitt, the Grocer of London; An Excellent New Ballad, Written by James Boswell, Esq. And sung by him at Guildhall on Lord-Mayor's Day, 1790; When after the Alarms of War interrupting our Commerce, an honourable Peace was announced. [London, 1790].

Details
BOSWELL, James (1740-1795). William Pitt, the Grocer of London; An Excellent New Ballad, Written by James Boswell, Esq. And sung by him at Guildhall on Lord-Mayor's Day, 1790; When after the Alarms of War interrupting our Commerce, an honourable Peace was announced. [London, 1790].

Broadside, narrow folio, a half-sheet (332 x 138 mm). (Very slight small stain). Dark red folding morocco case, gilt-lettered with motto and emblem of Boswell of Auchinleck, metal locks, dark red watered-silk lining, compartment inside for the broadside with dark red morocco-framed glass door by Riviere. Provenance: Isham Collection, Malahide Castle (gilt-lettered on case lining; sold, Christie's New York, 17 May 1989, lot 25).

FIRST EDITION. A FINE COPY OF A BOSWELL RARITY. Boswell composed and sang this ballad in an effort to win Pitt's favour; he was not successful. Pottle 77; Rothschild 462 (illustrated; recording the Rothschild copy, formerly in the Isham Collection, this Isham copy, and a copy in the Hyde collection).

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