[JOHNSON, Samuel.] [Rasselas] The Prince of Abissinia. A Tale, London, for R. and J. Dodsley and W. Johnston, 1759, sm. 8°, FIRST EDITION (occasional light spotting, A2 of vol. I holed with loss of page number on verso), 19th-century speckled calf, gilt (upper cover of vol. I detached) [Courtney & Smith p. 87; Rothschild 1242]; and 3 others. (4)

Details

[JOHNSON, Samuel.] [Rasselas] The Prince of Abissinia. A Tale, London, for R. and J. Dodsley and W. Johnston, 1759, sm. 8°, FIRST EDITION (occasional light spotting, A2 of vol. I holed with loss of page number on verso), 19th-century speckled calf, gilt (upper cover of vol. I detached) [Courtney & Smith p. 87; Rothschild 1242]; and 3 others. (4)

Lot Essay

The name "Rasseals", signifying "chief", was taken from "Rassela" in Lobo's Voyage, but did not appear on the title page of the first edition or any other edition of the work published in Johnson's lifetime. Johnson received payment of #100 from the publishers, and #25 more when it came to a second edition.

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