- 2 Frassetto Way - Lincoln Park, NJ 07035
The Peter Benchley Collection: Jaws, A Life of Writing, A Legacy of Stories
Lot 92:
Description
Two leather and cloth antiquarian volumes relating to the life of Samuel Johnson, including works by Hester Lynch Piozzi (British, 1741-1821) and James Boswell (Scottish, 1740-1795). First edition of Piozzi’s Anecdotes of the Late Samuel Johnson, LL.D. During the Last Twenty Years of his Life, published in London by T. Cadell in 1786 (MDCCLXXXVI). The second volume is an American edition of Boswell’s Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D., edited by Edmond Malone and published in Baltimore by J. W. Bond & Co. in 1856. The title page of the 1786 Piozzi volume bears two early ink signatures for James Skeffington. The front endpapers feature two armorial bookplates: one for Hugh Cecil, Earl of Lonsdale with the motto Magistratus Indicat Virum, and another for Dr William Sargant FRCP with the motto Christo Refugium Meum. The 1856 Boswell volume is inscribed Joseph S. Thomas Bristol May 20. 1886 on the flyleaf. Largest copy: 9 1/4" H x 6 1/8" W x 1 1/2" D.
From the personal collection of Peter Benchley (American, 1940–2006), acclaimed author of Jaws, accomplished diver, and prominent advocate for ocean and shark conservation.
Condition report:
Both volumes exhibit significant wear consistent with age. The leather binding of the 1786 Piozzi volume shows heavy rubbing to the covers, rounding at the corners, and chipping with small losses at the head and foot of the spine. Internally, the text block displays pervasive browning, toning, and scattered foxing. The 1856 Boswell volume shows shelf wear to the cloth boards, with fraying and small losses at the spine ends and corners. The internal pages are toned with foxing throughout and some damp staining to the upper margins of the later leaves.
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