Christian KALTHOEBER (1753-1819, binder). – Samuel JOHNSON. The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets, with critical observations on their Works. By Samuel Johnson. A new edition corrected. In four volumes.
London: printed for J. Rivington & Sons [etc.], 1790-1790-1791-1791. 4 volumes, octavo (8 ½ x 5in; 216 x 127mm). Issued without a portrait frontispiece. (Some spotting). Contemporary marbled calf by Christian Kalthoeber, with his orange ticket on the front free endpaper of vol.I, elaborate gilt Greek-key border to covers, the flat spines with overall design in compartments decorated with various gilt small-tools (see images), each with two red Morocco lettering-pieces, the larger upper label titled in gilt, the lower label with the relevant volume number, simple Greek-key roll to turn-ins, marbled endpapers (light scuffing and chipping to extremities, joints a little rubbed [see images]).
A beautiful set from one of the great London binders of the late Georgian period. A German émigré, Kalthoeber counted Royalty and many of the greatest bibliophiles of the day amongst his clients.
It is not clear if a portrait frontispiece of Johnson is required for this issue of ‘The Lives…’ – it was clearly never bound into the present set, but is often found in other examples.
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