Available Copies from Independent Booksellers
Price: US$300.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Octavo. 384p, half title Very good copy bound in full calf, repaired with recent boards keeping the original spine. foldout map very good with one closed tear.
Seller: Old New York Book Shop, ABAA, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A.
Price: US$346.00 + shipping
Description: 2nd edition 1/4 leather Very Good octavo xxii + 384pp., appendix, Spine & boards very worn & lacks folding map o/w internally nice. Scarce
Seller: Andrew Barnes Books / Military Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Price: US$395.00 + shipping
Description: 8vo, xxii, 1, folding map, 384pp; modern light brown leather. Boswell's first major work, which made him famous and went quickly into multiple editions. This London edition followed shortly after the Glasgow first edition. A solid copy, albeit in a workmanlike binding by Joseph Ruzicka. Small tape mend to the base of the half-title; short marginal tear to map (affecting only a bit of sea); scattered spotting in early pages, more severe toning to a number of final leaves.
Seller: Locus Solus Rare Books (ABAA, ILAB), Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.
Price: US$481.22 + shipping
Description: 8vo, pp. xxii, [ii], 384; with large folding map opposite p. 1, which is creased at outer edge and also browned, and with some tears in the inner margin, but complete; contemporary calf, safely but not very prettily rebacked; later endpapers. Second edition: published in April 1768, following the first edition, which sold out within six weeks. Boswell made a number of alterations to this edition: 'Many changes were made in the punctuation, a few typographical errors were corrected, and a considerable number of Scotticisms were removed' (Pottle p. 54). Pottle 25.
Seller: Christopher Edwards ABA ILAB, Henley-on-Thames, OXON, United Kingdom
Price: US$568.83 + shipping
Description: Second Edition; Demy 8vo; pp. (ii), xxii, 384; half title, illustrated title page, illustrated folding map (430cm x 270cm), small closed tear to map at tab, full leather binding raised bands, re-backed retaining the original boards, very good copy. The first edition of this work [3500 copies] was sold out in six weeks, and the second edition [also 3500 copies] was ready for sale a month later. The book was well received and is credited with catapulting Boswell to fame 23 years before his best known work, "The Life of Samuel Johnson" was produced. Such was the success of the book it is said that Boswell was referred to throughout his life thereafter as "Corsica Boswell".
Seller: Time Booksellers, Somerville, VIC, Australia
Price: US$881.65 + shipping
Description: in-8, xxii pp., un f. n. ch. de table, 384 pp., avec un portrait-frontispice de Paoli gravé sur cuivre par J. Lodge d'après Henry Bembridge, et une carte dépliante hors texte, veau fauve moucheté, dos lisse orné de filets dorés, pièce de titre cerise, encadrement de simple filet à froid sur les plats, hachuré doré sur les coupes (rel. de la fin du XVIIIe). La première édition était parue la même année, mais à l'adresse de Glasgow. De nombreuses traductions dans les diverses langues européennes devaient suivre, faisant de l'ouvrage un "best-seller". Car il ne s'agit pas seulement d'une description, mais d'un manifeste engagé : en effet, sur la recommandation de Jean-Jacques Rousseau, l'écrivain écossais James Boswell (1740-1795) se rendit en Corse à la rencontre du "général en chef" de la Nation corse Pasquale Paoli, avec lequel il se lia d?amitié. Admirant sa tentative d?organisation d?un État dans l?île et sa volonté de s?affranchir de toute tutelle étrangère, il se fit dès lors l'ambassadeur de la cause corse auprès de l?Europe des Lumières.Starace, 243.Vignette ex-libris armoriée de Charles Arthur Wynne-Finch (1841-1903), lieutenant-colonel.Ex-libris manuscrit Xavier Versini (1926-2020), ancien président de la Cour d'assises de Paris et historien de la Corse.
Seller: Librairie Historique F. Teissèdre, PARIS, France
BOSWELL, JAMES. Account of Corsica, the Journal of a Tour to that Island, and Memo. , 1768.
Price: US$1050.00 + shipping
Description: BOSWELL, JAMES. An Account of Corsica, the Journal of a Tour to that Island, and Memoirs of Pascal Paoli. Glasgow: Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly, London, 1768. xxi, [3], 382 p. plus final blank 2A8. Leaves E2 and Z3 cancellanda, as usual. Large folding map by Thomas Phinn (3" tear). Contemporary calf, spine richly gilt in compartments. Text block lightly dampstained, but other than some darkening on endpapers, not the least offensive, and an attractive copy. Modern bookplate. First edition of Boswell's highly popular account of his tour to Corsica and his association with General Paoli. Gaskell, Foulis, 473; Pottle 24; Rothschild 442; ESTC T26157.
Seller: Joseph J. Felcone Inc., ABAA, Princeton, NJ, U.S.A.
Price: US$1077.82 + shipping
Description: In-8 de XXI-(3)-384 pp., demi-veau bleu glacé à coins, dos à nerfs (reliure du XIXe siècle). Deuxième édition. James Boswell se lia intimement avec Samuel Johnson avec lequel il partit en voyage en Corse où il rencontra Paoli. La première édition française fut publiée la même année. Vignette gravée au titre.Une carte repliée (44 x 28 cm) de la Corse datée de 1768 : A new and Accurate Map of the Island of Corsica dessinée par Phinn et gravée par Fidin. Le faux-titre manque. Très bon exemplaire.
Seller: Bonnefoi Livres Anciens, Paris, France
Price: US$1219.10 + shipping
Description: FIRST EDITION, 8vo, pp. xii, [iii], 382 + folding map frontispiece. Contemporary mottled calf, edges sprinkled red. Small handling tear to edge of map. Sometime rebacked, spine divided by raised bands between double gilt rules, red morocco label, old leather a little rubbed. Bookplate of John M. Cameron and old bookseller?s catalogue clipping to pastedown, monogram to flyleaf dated 1894. The first edition of Boswell?s first proper book, an account of his journey to Corsica and a biography of Corsican president Pascal Paoli. In this copy leaves E2 and Z3 are cancellentia. Neither Gaskell nor ESTC nor Pottle assign any precedence to the various textual variations found across printings, with Pottle suggesting that the cancel leaves were printed in duplicate, four copies of each across an octavo sheet, resulting in slight differences, alongside other misprints across the edition ?no doubt corrected in the press? (p. 52). Rothschild records a few variations not mentioned by other bibliographers: the map in this copy is in his second state, with the imprint to the bottom margin, and on page 51 the words ?John Home? correctly follow the second quotation, Rothschild?s second state again. Rothschild also differentiates the varying states of the cancel leaves, with our E2 in his state (i), though no information is given on how to distinguish the three states of Z3. ESTC T26157; Gaskell 473; Pottle 24; Rothschild 442.
Seller: McNaughtan's Bookshop, ABA PBFA ILAB, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Price: US$1352.50 + shipping
Description: 8vo. pp. xxi, [1 leaf], 382. complete with half-title but without final blank Aa8. folding engraved map by Thomas Phinn. engraved title vignette. contemporary sprinkled calf (somewhat worn, joints cracked & holding by cords, several scratches on covers, few short tears along map folds - no loss). First Edition. "This work made Boswell famous. It is a lively account of his Quixotic adventures in Corsica and his associations with General Paoli.for whom he endeavoured to get official British assistance. His childish pleasure in being the chief sponsor of this wild island struggling to become a nation led him to wear a Corsican costume at Garrick's anniversary celebration in honor of Shakespeare held in 1769.". (Cox) The Tour was highly praised by Dr. Johnson. In the present copy, the folding map, here placed before A6, is in the first state, the 'Table of Contents' follows the 'Preface', cancel D2r is in the second state and cancel E2r in the first state, Z3 is the usual cancel, with recto and verso reset, and misprints are as recorded by Pottle, with those on pages 93 and 296 corrected. Cox I p. 138. Gaskell 473. NCBEL II 1211. Pottle 24. Rothschild 442.
Seller: D & E LAKE LTD. (ABAC/ILAB), Toronto, ON, Canada
Price: US$1495.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: An Account of Corsica, the Journal of a Tour to that Island; and Memoirs of Pascal Paoli. Illustrated with a New and Accurate Map of Corsica. First edition, first issue, bound with scarce half title, last leaf blank, Z3 in uncorrected state, all misprints present, map in its first form without scale or degrees. Published Glasgow: Printed by Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly in the Poultry, London, 1768. 8vo., 5 1/2" x 8 5/16", xxi, [1, blank], [1, table of contents], [1, blank], 382 pp., [1, blank]. Large folding engraved frontispiece map of Corsica by Thomas Phinn inserted between half title and title page. Engraved coat-of-arms on title-page. Table of Contents (b2) follows the Preface (a3-b1); Z3 in original state with "Maraina" typo; D2 in first state, with the words "John Home" incorrectly placed following the first quotation on p. 51; E2 with "enjoying the noble fief of Is-tria"; Misprints present in original, uncorrected state: "141" for "241" in the table of contents; broken "E" in "Etruscans" on p. 70, line 17 (with the lower bar showing faintly); "feelirg" on p. 137, line 11; "tha the" on p. 172, line 9; "Montgomerÿ" on p. 184, line 4; "speculati-ions" on p. 327, lines 9-10. Full calf with raised bands and gilt ornamented spine with key design, gilt edge decorations, speckled edges to text block. Some chipping at the crown and heel, outer hinges cracking, wear at the tips, else a very good copy. Internally near fine, paper clean and bright. Map is very good with light offset toning and a partial, closed tear along one of the folds. Size: 8vo
Seller: The Wild Muse, Granville, NY, U.S.A.
Price: US$1600.00 + shipping
Condition: Very Good
Description: Full leather, gilt, rebacked, and rubbed at edges. Sporadic foxing on the interior. First edition. xxi, (3), 382pp. Contains a folding map that still has tape stains from an earlier repair, and the newer repair has been done with archival quality materials. A small tear remains near the top, and the edges are dirty. The map has neither a scale nor degrees in the margins. (Gaskell 278-279) Also contains six manifestos in Corsican. Size: 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall
Seller: Contact Editions, ABAC, ILAB, Toronto, ON, Canada
BOSWELL, James. Account of Corsica, the Journal of a Tour to that Island. , 1768.
Price: US$1650.00 + shipping
Description: BOSWELL, James. An Account of Corsica, the Journal of a Tour to that Island; and Memoirs of Pascal Paoli. Contemporary full speckled calf, gilt-ruled raised spine bands, red morocco spine label. Glasgow: Printed by Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly, 1768. First edition. Pottle 24. With ?-title and first edition of the large folding map. Some wear to head of spine, very small amount of faint scattered foxing, else very good or better.
Seller: G.S. MacManus Co., ABAA, Bryn Mawr, PA, U.S.A.
Price: US$1650.00 + shipping
Description: The First English Edition, the second overall, in the same year as the first which was printed in Glasgow and ia essentially identical. With fine provenance, a Baskerville family copy with bookplate showing one of their crests and their motto, Spero ut Fidelis, "Illustrated with a new and accurate map of Corsica", an exceptionally well detailed, well pressed and attractive large folding engraved map bound at the front. With half-title which is frequently lacking, title-page with engraved vignette featuring the arms of Corsica. 8vo, handsomely bound in full contemporary calf, the spine with double gilt ruled raised bands, one compartment gilt lettered, the boards framed with double-fillet gilt rules, board edges hatched in blind, original endleaves. xxiii, 384 pp. A handsome copy well preserved in its original binding, with the text in fine condition, especially fresh and clean, and with strong impression, the leaves unpressed and the binding sturdy and tight, with just a bit of minor wear or rubbing along the tips and shoulders, some normal offset to a few prelims and end leaves from the original binder's work. The folding map is in a fine state of preservation, unusually so. THE FIRST ENGLISH PRINTING OF BOSWELL'S FIRST SIGNIFICANT WORK, ONE WHICH WOULD HELP LAUNCH HIS FAME AS ONE OF THE FINEST MEN OF LETTERS OF HIS AGE. This edition was published only months after the first edition, which was an immediate success and sold out within six weeks. This edition also sold out within weeks. Boswell supported the Corsican struggle to become an independent nation and considered himself one of the island's chief sponsors. "Following the island's invasion by France, in 1768, Boswell attempted to raise public awareness and rally support for the Corsicans. He sent arms and money to the Corsican fighters, and made an arduous and dangerous journey to Corsica to meet General Pasquale Paoli, leader of the insurgents seeking the island's independence from the Genoese. Paoli at first suspected [Boswell] was a spy, but quickly came to like his improbable young visitor, saw an opportunity for promotion of the Corsican cause in Britain, and consented to a series of interviews" - Pierce The text includes Boswell's keen observations on many topics, including military matters and arms, commerce, government, and religion. It also includes many accounts of his own experiences. Boswell was, rightfully, very proud of this work. Within his lifetime it went through many, many editions. Within just a short time of its original appearance it had been translated into Dutch, Italian, German, and French; and sold as well abroad as it did in Britain. It was in fact a most remarkable success and the first step towards one of the most distinguished literary careers of the age. Concerning the provenance, it has been claimed that the family of Baskerville can trace descent from the Emperor Charlemagne, Hugh Capet King of France, Kenneth King of Scotland, Rodrick King of Wales and MacMorrough King of Leinster in Ireland. The Baskervilles have a truly royal ancestry, and their pedigree, which has been authentically deduced and duly registered in the College of Arms, is a large one. Burke writes of the family as 'one of the most ancient and honorable in England. Their connection with Herefordshire began with the ancestor who came over to help William the Conqueror, from Normandy.
Seller: Buddenbrooks, Inc., Newburyport, MA, U.S.A.
Price: US$1750.00 + shipping
Condition: Good
Description: 1768 1st ed Account of Corsica James Boswell Genoa Pasquale Paoli HUGE MAP First edition of James Boswells book supporting the Island of Corsicas defense of invasion and desire to be free form Genoese rule., and accounts of his befriending Pasquale Paoli A rare first edition of James Boswells Account of Corsica. According to Lowndes, this printing is the first and uncastrated edition. This book was the work that gained Boswell fame. He supported the Corsican government and took childish pleasure in being the chief sponsor of this wild island struggling to become a nation (Cox I, 138). According to Pierce, "Following the island's invasion by France, in 1768, Boswell attempted to raise public awareness and rally support for the Corsicans. He sent arms and money to the Corsican fighters, and made an arduous and dangerous journey to Corsica to meet General Pasquale Paoli, leader of the insurgents seeking the island's independence from the Genoese. Paoli at first suspected [Boswell] was a spy, but quickly came to like his improbable young visitor, saw an opportunity for promotion of the Corsican cause in Britain, and consented to a series of interviews The book includes his observations of government, religion, military arms, commerce, education, and Boswells experiences while traveling through Corsica. This most-popular second state includes very rare half-title (Rothschild 442), a beautiful copper vignette on title, and a large folding copper map of the island of Corsica. This work was widely read and translated 7000 copies, in two editions, were sold within the first month of completion. "The Account of Corsica was the book of the hour. Many more copies of it were sold in Boswell's lifetime than either of his great works in the biography of Johnson, and it achieved abroad a much more remarkable success." (Pottle) Item number: #550 Price: $1750 BOSWELL, James An account of Corsica : the journal of a tour to that island ; and memoirs of Pascal Paoli. By James Boswell Glasgow : Printed by Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly, London, 1768. First edition. Details: Collation complete with all pages: xxi, [3], 382 References: Lowndes B, 242; Rothschild 442; Pottle 24; ESTC T, 26157; Cox I, 138 First edition points (According to Rothschild and Pottle): o Table of Contents follows Preface o Map precedes leaf A1; (second state, as per Rothschild, with imprint but without scale of miles, nor division of the margins into degrees) o Final leaf blank o p. 51 John Home incorrectly placed following first quotation o p. 357, line 24 Mariani spelled correctly o Table of Contents p. 241 misprinted as 141 o p. 70, line 17 broken E in Etruscans o p. 137, line 11 feelirg instead of feeling o p. 172, line 9 tha the o p. 184, line 4 Montgomerÿ (y with umlaut) o p. 327, lines 9,10 speculati-ions o pp. 93 and 296 are correctly printed (the last words of line 6, p.93, are "prince of" and of line 18, p.296, "of my own") Binding: Leather; tight and secure Language: English Size: ~8in X 5.5in (20cm x 14cm) We find this same printing selling elsewhere for $3,600 Our Guarantee: Very Fast. Very Safe. Free Shipping Worldwide. Customer satisfaction is our priority! Notify us with 7 days of receiving, and we will offer a full refund without reservation! Photos available upon request
Seller: Schilb Antiquarian, Columbia, MO, U.S.A.
Price: US$1844.70 + shipping
Description: xxi, [3], 382 p. Folding map of Corsica. First edition. Modern calf binding to style. The spine with raised bands and a contrasting label. The map has a repair on the fold near the cartouche and is the state with the imprint inserted but with neither scale nor degrees round the border. Marginal offset onto the adjacent page shows that the map was refolded when it was repaired, otherwise the text is clean, tight and well margined throughout.
Seller: Cobnar Books, Deal, United Kingdom
Price: US$2566.53 + shipping
Description: First edition of Boswell's first important publication, an account of his travels to Corsica in 1765, where he took up the cause of Corsican independence and befriended the leader Paoli. The publication established Boswell's reputation, and did much to promote the Corsican cause both in Britain and across Europe. "With its reports of the gallant islanders and a Plutarchan depiction of Paoli paralleled with several classical heroes, it was an immediate success. The work was widely read and translated, stimulated great interest in Paoli and the Corsican cause, brought its author wide fame in Britain and Europe, and found an interested readership among the Americans. It attracted the notice of the French government (which had a translation made), and though Boswell's ambition for British intervention was not to be fulfilled, he probably influenced Britain's decision to send secret supplies of arms to the Corsicans" (ODNB). ESTC T26157; Gaskell, Foulis, 473; Pottle 24; Rothschild 442. Octavo (205 x 129 mm). Early 20th-century calf to style, red morocco labels, gilt in compartments, plain endpapers. Large engraved folding map of Corsica (second state, with imprint); engraved rococo title vignette incorporating the Moor's Head arms of Corsica. Bound without terminal blank. Ownership signature to title page dated 1771, early 20th-century bookplate to front pastedown of T. H. Parnell, Mounton. Binding fine, light toning to endpapers, head of central leaves, half-title, and terminal leaf, short closed tear to folding map in gutter, scattered light foxing. A very good copy.
Seller: Peter Harrington. ABA/ ILAB., London, United Kingdom
Price: US$2750.00 + shipping
Description: First Edition, First State. 8vo (195 x 125 mm). Attracdtive contemporary full polished calf, raised bands with red morocco gilt second panel. Original ensheets, FIRST EDITION, with the map in the first state. Half-title, engraved vignette on title-page, D2, E2 and Z3 are cancellans, with final blank; engraved folding map (short tear to fold). Calf neatly rebacked preserving old spine label and endpapers. Provenance: Abel E. Berland with his bookplate. Berland was a thirty-plus year member of the Civic Federation Board of Directors and a past Chairman of the Board. Mr. Berland was an internationally recognized bibliophile and collector of rare manuscripts. This work secured Boswell's place in London's literary and political circles. Internally near fine with no foxing.
Seller: Nudelman Rare Books, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.
Price: US$3850.00 + shipping
Description: Rare First Edition, First State of James Boswell's first important book. A copy with excellent provenance, the Rokeby Park, John Bacon Sawrey Morritt original bookplate is present as well as the bookplate of Giannalisa Feltrinelli. This copy also in Rothschild's first state, with the words "John Home" incorrectly placed following the first quotation on p. 51; E2 and Z3 are cancels, with "Mariani" spelled correctly (line 24, p. 357). The additional misprints cited by Pottle are also present: "141" for "241" in the table of contents; broken "E" in "Etruscans" on p. 70, line 17; "feelirg" on p. 137, line 11; "tha the" on p. 172, line 9; "Montgomerÿ" on p. 184, line 4; "speculati-ions" on p. 327, lines 9-10. Pages 93 and 296 are correctly printed (the last words of line 6, p.93, are "prince of" and of line 18, p.296, "of my own"). "Illustrated with a new and accurate map of Corsica." This being an exceptionally well detailed and attractive large folding engraved map bound at the front. With half-title, which is frequently lacking, title-page with engraved vignette featuring the arms of Corsica. 8vo (205 x 120 mm.), in full contemporary calf, the spine with simple gilt ruled raised bands, one compartment with brown morocco label gilt lettered, the boards framed with gilt double-rules, board edges hatched in blind xxiii, 384pp. A fine copy of the text, especially fresh and clean, a strong impression, unpressed and very sturdy and tight, a bit of offset on the final leaf and half-title and a bit from the map to the titlepage, the binding handsome and firm but with a bit of minor wear or rubbing along the tips and shoulders. The folding map is in a fine state of preservation, unusually so. THE FIRST PRINTING OF BOSWELL'S FIRST SIGNIFICANT WORK, ONE WHICH WOULD HELP LAUNCH HIS FAME AS ONE OF THE FINEST MEN OF LETTERS OF HIS AGE. This first edition was an immediate success and sold out within six weeks. Boswell supported the Corsican struggle to become an independent nation and considered himself one of the island's chief sponsors. "Following the island's invasion by France, in 1768, Boswell attempted to raise public awareness and rally support for the Corsicans. He sent arms and money to the Corsican fighters, and made an arduous and dangerous journey to Corsica to meet General Pasquale Paoli, leader of the insurgents seeking the island's independence from the Genoese. Paoli at first suspected [Boswell] was a spy, but quickly came to like his improbable young visitor, saw an opportunity for promotion of the Corsican cause in Britain, and consented to a series of interviews" - Pierce The text includes Boswell's keen observations on many topics, including military matters and arms, commerce, government, and religion. It also includes many accounts of his own experiences. Boswell was, rightfully, very proud of this work. Within his lifetime it went through many, many editions. Within just a short time of its original appearance it had been translated into Dutch, Italian, German, and French; and sold as well abroad as it did in Britain. It was in fact a most remarkable success and the first step towards one of the most distinguished literary careers of the age. Concerning the provenance, Rokeby Park is well known as the original English home in the painting "The Toilet of Venus" by Diego Velázquez. The painting is now referred to as The Rokeby Venus". It now hangs in the National Gallery, London, and a copy hangs in the saloon at Rokeby Park. Sir Walter Scott was a regular visitor to the house, and he used it as the setting for his narrative poem Rokeby in 1812. The building is also of interest in its own right. Completed in 1735 (and known at the time as Rokeby Hall) by Sir Thomas Robinson, it is considered a fine example of the Italianate Palladian style. Robinson owned it until 1769, when he sold it to J.S. Morritt, whose bookplate adorns the initial pastedown. The magnificent library of Giannalisa Feltrinelli was sold in 1997 at auction. This fine example was selected for one of the most important libraries in Europe.
Seller: Buddenbrooks, Inc., Newburyport, MA, U.S.A.
BOSWELL James. An Account of Corsica,. , 1768.
Price: US$4491.43 + shipping
Description: the Journal of a tour to that Island; and memoirs of Pascal Paoli. By James Boswell, Esq; Illustrated with a New and Accurate Map of Corsica. First Edition. 8vo. [203 x 125mm]. xxi, [3], 382 pp., engraved vignette with the arms of Corsica on the title; with the half-title and the large folding engraved map (first state before the addition of the imprint). A very good clean copy with just a small tear to the edge of the map near the guard (not touching the plate). Contemporary polished calf, smooth spine ruled in gilt, red morocco label, red sprinkled edges (very slightly rubbed at the edges but otherwise fine). Morocco-backed cloth case. Glasgow: for Robert and Andrew Foulis for Edward and Charles Dilly, 1768 Pottle, Boswell, 24; Gaskell, Foulis Press, 473; Rothschild 442. Boswell took a close interest in the printing and this copy has the two cancel leaves (E2 & Z3, the former with the line-break ?Is- | tria?) and the corrected spellings on p. 93, 184, 296. A fine copy of James Boswell?s ?first important work? (ODNB) which drew international attention to the cause of Corsican independence and made the author?s name. With Pasquale di Paolo as its president, commander-in-chief, and chief magistrate the Republic of Corsica had declared its independence from Genoa in 1755. Boswell visited the island in the Autumn of 1765 at the end of his Grand Tour of Germany, Switzerland and Italy so well-documented in his Journals. Boswell?s Account of Corsica was published on 18 February 1768. ?With its reports of the gallant islanders and a Plutarchan depiction of Paoli paralleled with several classical heroes. It was an immediate success. The work was widely read and translated, stimulated great interest in Paoli and the Corsican cause, brought its author wide fame in Britain and Europe, and found an interested readership in America. It attracted the notice of the French government (which had a translation made), and though Boswell?s ambition for British intervention was not to be fulfilled, he probably influenced Britain?s decision to send secret supplies of arms to the Corsicans.? (ODNB). On 2 March 1768 the Glasgow printer Robert Foulis wrote to Boswell at Edinburgh: ?I rejoice to hear of the success of the History of Corsica, ? I expect to hear of it being soon in French & Italian, and that it has been burnt by the hand of the hangman at Genoa, which, in my opinion, it well deserves. ?? (Gaskell, Foulis Press, p. 400). That month The Critical Review took a cautious and, it soon turned out, prescient view of Paoli?s fledgling state: ?MR. Boswell was impelled by a noble, but unusual, spirit of curiosity to visit the infant state of liberty among the Corsicans; and he is to be envied that he saw it to greater advantage than any British subject, perhaps, ever can view the same in future. He found in it all its native, genuine, charms, before faction could spring from security, luxury from plenty, or corruption from luxury; evils which so soon engender in a settled constitution. The eyes of all the sons, and we may add, daughters, of Freedom, are now fixed upon the plan of government which the illustrious general of the Corsicans shall adapt for his brave countrymen; and they are in hopes it will be as free as human foresight can contrive, from the oversights which the experience of all ages has proved to be so fatal to other free states. ? ?Upon the whole, our author has, in the person of Paoli, realized all the ideas which the most vigorous imagination could form of a chief, a patriot, and a legislator, embellished with the ornaments of an understanding cultivated by polite literature.? - The Critical Review, Vol. 25 (March, 1768), p. 172-81. Corsica?s dozen years as a representative democracy ended after a French invasion in the summer of 1768 (Genoa having secretly sold the island to France in 1765) a few months after the publication of Boswell?s account. General Paoli led a guerrilla campaign against the French but was forced into exile in England after the Battle of Ponte Novu of 8-9 May 1769. In London, with ?Corsica Boswell? as his champion, he was publicly fêted, granted a pension by King George and elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. He returned to Corsica in 1790 as president of the French Department of Corsica, a role he retained in the short-lived independent Anglo-Corsican Kingdom (1793-5), until his second and final exile to Britain. Provenance: No bookplate or any other sign of early provenance. Unidentified bookseller?s pencil notes on the front and rear pastedowns. From,a private Boswell collection, anonymous sale, Sotheby, 12/12/2017, lot 75.
Seller: Maggs Bros. Ltd ABA, ILAB, PBFA, BA, London, United Kingdom