An account of the life of Mr. Richard Savage…
An account of the life of Mr. Richard Savage. Son of the Earl of Rivers.
London: J. Roberts, 1744.
Octavo in fours, without half title and final advertisement; in nineteenth-century half calf with marbled paper sides.
First edition, last page in state with single-line erratum. Like Rothschild's copy the pages 185 and 186 are misnumbered 179 and 180.
First edition, last page in state with single-line erratum. Like Rothschild's copy the pages 185 and 186 are misnumbered 179 and 180.
Savage, 'an impostor, a libeller and something of a ruffian' (CHEL) had died in Bristol prison in August 1743 and the same month Johnson announced that he was preparing his friend's biography. Savage and Johnson had endured the poverty of their youth together, and this was Johnson's even-handed tribute, 'a work of remarkable and varied interest' (CHEL). He later included it, with only minor changes, in The Lives of the Poets.
Rothschild, 1223.
Condition Report: Professional paper repairs to gutter for first 15 pages, joints starting, head of spine chipped and some rubbing to extremities, but a good copy.
Price (AUD): $4,850.00
US$3,167.35 Other currencies