The Yale Editions of the Private Papers of James Boswell

London : Clarendon Press, 1952-1957. Vellum. Fine. 10.5" x 7.5". None. Five volumes of the Yale Editions of the private papers of James Boswell, all de luxe limited editions, from the Selbourne collection. The volumes present are: Boswell in Holland; Boswell on the Grand Tour, Germany and Switzerland; Boswell on the Grand Tour, Italy, Corsica, and France; Boswell in Search of a Wife; Boswell's London Journal 1762-1763 Together With Journal Of My Jaunt, Harvest 1762. All volumes were edited by Frank Pottle. In the case of Boswell on the Grand Tour, Italy, Corsica, and France, and Boswell in Search of a Wife, Frank Brady was an additional editor. Pottle is the widely acknowledged authority on Boswell, and his biography of the man is still considered the standard reference work. In 1929 he was engaged as the editor of Boswell's papers, the originals of which were all in the possession of the American collector Lt. Col. Ralph Heyward Isham. This editorship became the central project of his life, and these Yale Editions were the result. The project was one of the largest and most celebrated works of scholarly editorship in modern times. Yale itself explains: "The first volume of the Trade Edition, the London Journal 1762–1763, appeared in 1950 and, surprising both its publishers at McGraw-Hill and Heinemann and its scholarly editors, became an immediate worldwide bestseller. The publication of the popular series was completed in 1989 with Boswell the Great Biographer, 1789–1795, the thirteenth volume of the journals. Boswell's frank record of his private and public life—he was as forthright about his wretched behavior as he was matter-of-fact in reporting his more admirable moments—has repelled some readers and attracted others, but rarely has it elicited indifference." Boswell in Holland is number 512 of 1,050 printed; Boswell on the Grand Tour, Germany and Switzerland is number 559 of 1,000 printed. ; Boswell on the Grand Tour, Italy, Corsica, and France is number 323 of 400 printed; Boswell in Search of a Wife is number 327 of 400 printed; Boswell's London Journal is number 559 out of 1050 printed. Boswell's London journal records how he visited London for the second time at the age of 22. It notably records his first meeting with Samuel Johnson, for whose biography he is best known. Direct from the library of the late Hugh Selbourne MD (1906-1973) a noted book collector and diarist. In quarter vellum with cloth covered boards. There is a gilt motif to the front boards, and spine labels to the spines. Externally lovely. In the original cellophane wraps, and with the original rigid slipcases. The cellophane wraps are still smart; for the two Grand Tour volumes they are a little chipped and creased along the edges, and in the case of the Germany & Switzerland volume a little age-toned. The Italy Corsica & France volume has a closed tear midway down the spine. The slipcases are intact, with a little wear to the extremities only. Internally clean and bright, and firmly bound. Many pages uncut along the foredge throughout. The edges are untrimmed but clean. NEAR FINE slipcase Fine