The Rambler - photo 1

The Rambler

Lot 49
07.12.2022 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Sold
$ 3 528
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 859630
Lot 49 | The Rambler
Estimate value
$ 3 000 – 5 000
[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.
Place of origin:United Kingdom
Auction house category:Printed books
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
Preview
23.11.2022 – 07.12.2022
Phone +1 212 636 2000
Fax +1 212 636 4930
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Shipping Postal service
Courier service
pickup by yourself
Payment methods Wire Transfer
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 09:30 – 17:00   
Tu 09:30 – 17:00   
We 09:30 – 17:00   
Th 09:30 – 17:00   
Fr 09:30 – 17:00   
Sa closed
Su closed

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.