Samuel Johnson, 1751

[JOHNSON, Samuel (1709-1784).] The Rambler. London: J. Payne and J. Bouquet, 1751 [but 1750-1752].

An uncut copy, including all 208 issues. Johnson's first periodical was printed by Edward Cave and issued every Tuesday and Saturday for a two-year period; the 208 numbers, consisting of a sheet and a half, sold at 2d. each. It included a few outside contributors, including Samuel Richardson and Elizabeth Carter, but the venture was otherwise entirely Johnson's, and despite slow initial sales a tenth edition was reached before his death. For all his tendency to procrastinate, Johnson kept his deadlines, and No. 134 actually took idleness and procrastination as its theme—according to Mrs Thrale, it was "hastily composed in Sir Joshua Reynolds' parlour, while the boy waited to carry it to the press."

The range of literature Johnson drew on in The Rambler was enormous, extending from Greek aphorists and Ecclesiastes, through Renaissance humanists, to the entire English literature of the 17th century. Only Johnson could have so successfully combined the 18th-century periodical form with the 17th-century sermon, or have expressed such a deeply pessimistic outlook with such a "tonic effect" on his readers. This set includes all 208 issues; no. 109 is second state. Issues 174 and 208 are misdated as 15 November and 17 March, respectively. Bate Samuel Johnson, New York, 1977, pp. 289-98; Courtney & Smith, pp. 30-31; Fleeman 50.3R/1a, Rothschild 1234.

Two volumes, folio (314 x 180mm). Uncut. (No. 34, 38 with repaired tear along center crease; some short closed tears or small losses at margins; occasionally some wear along center ceases, first page of issue 117 with closed tear through text, issue 144 with repaired tear touching headline). Contemporary half calf, uncut (hinges cracked, worn). Custom chemises and slipcase.