The Prince of Abissinia.: A Tale in Two Volumes.

JOHNSON, SAMUEL. The Prince of Abissinia. A Tale in Two Volumes. Small 8vo. Contemporary full calf, 4 raised bands, gilt title labels on spines; gilt rule on covers. London: Printed for R. and J. Dodsley in Pall-Mall; and W. Johnston, in Ludgate-Street, 1759. First Edition. Second Corrected State. Leaf A2, vol. II, reads "Contents of the Second Volume;" "Indiscerpible" page 161; all blanks present. The Second State is almost identical with the extremely rare first edition issued a few weeks before it, on April 19, 1759. (Fleeman, I, 785-8; Courtney & Nichol Smith, p. 87; Chapman & Hazen, pp. 142-3; Rothschild 1242; Liebert 73).

The Prince of Abissinia, Samuel Johnson's only novel, was written in the evenings of one week in an effort to raise funds for his mother's care, and eventually, to pay for her funeral. Its rapid execution is said to have been due to the fact that he had been pondering its chief topics all his life. It was published anonymously, and soon became his most popular work. Boswell says it contains "all the force and beauty of which the English language is capable."

The novel describes the life of Prince Rasselas and Nekayah, his sister, who are kept in a place called the Happy Valley in the land of Abissinia. The Valley is a place free of problems, where any desire is quickly satisfied. The constant pleasure, however, does not lead to satisfaction; and, with the help of a philosopher named Imlac, Rasselas escapes and explores the world to witness how all aspects of society and life in the outside world are filled with suffering. They return to Abissinia, but do not wish to return to the state of constantly fulfilled pleasures.


With 2 bookplates; one of Richard Adams in volume 1. Hinges weakened; head and heel of spines slightly chipped; leather worn; missing a small portion (approximately 2-inches) of the leather on the cover of volume I; staining to edges of endpapers; slight chipping to endpapers of volume I; interiors clean. A very nice copy in contemporary full calf binding.