James Boswell
21 copies for sale · $25–$15,000 · 5 first editions · 1 signed
Notable copies for sale
Autograph Letter Signed ALS (signed) — Manhattan Rare Books$13,500
The Life of Samuel Johnson in 2 vols. Bound with The Principal Corrections and Additions t (first edition) — Whitmore Rare Books$9,500
Letter to the People of Scotland, On the Present State of the Nation (first edition) — Heritage Book Shop$5,000
Boswell's London Journal (first edition) — James Cummins Bookseller$150
The Journal Of A Tour To The Hebrides With Samuel Johnson Ll D By James Boswell Esq Contai (first edition) — John Windle Antiquarian$950
The Journal Of A Tour To The Hebrides With Samuel Johnson Containing Some Poetical Pieces (first edition) — Rulon-Miller Books$425
The Journal Of A Tour To The Hebrides With Samuel Johnson Containing Some Poetical Pieces — Rulon-Miller Books$350
The Life Of Samuel Johnson Ll D Together With A Journal Of A Tour To The Hebrides A Reprin — Rulon-Miller Books$225
Boswell in Holland 1763-1764. Including his correspondence with Belle de Zuylen Zélide . F — James Cummins Bookseller$150
Life Of Samuel Johnson Ll D — Heritage Book Shop$15,000
Life Of Samuel Johnson Crokers Second Extra Illustrated — Heritage Book Shop$2,500
The Life of Samuel Johnson, Ll. D. Including a Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides — Good Books in the Woods$25
Works on the market
The Life Of Samuel Johnson Ll D Comprehending An Account Of His Studies And Numerous Works4 copies · $400–$850
The Journal Of A Tour To The Hebrides With Samuel Johnson Ll D By James Boswell Esq Contai2 copies · $950–$1,250
The Journal Of A Tour To The Hebrides With Samuel Johnson Containing Some Poetical Pieces 2 copies · $350–$425
The Life Of Samuel Johnson2 copies · $250
Life Of Samuel Johnson Ll D1 copy · $15,000
Autograph Letter Signed ALS1 copy · $13,500
The Life of Samuel Johnson in 2 vols. Bound with The Principal Corrections and Additions t1 copy · $9,500
Life Of Samuel Johnson Crokers Second Extra Illustrated1 copy · $2,500
The Life Of Samuel Johnson Including A Journal Of His Tour To The Hebrides By The Right Ho1 copy · $295
The Life Of Samuel Johnson Ll D Together With A Journal Of A Tour To The Hebrides A Reprin1 copy · $225
Boswell in Holland 1763-1764. Including his correspondence with Belle de Zuylen Zélide . F1 copy · $150
Boswell's London Journal1 copy · $150
Market context
12 copies of James Boswell's works have left the market recently; the median last-listed price was $335 (last listed prices at time of sale or removal, not confirmed sale prices).
Recent auction results (hammer prices, premiums not included):
The Life of Samuel Johnson, 4 vol., 1816; and others similar, most leather bound (19) (forum, 2026-06-04)£360
Listings aggregated from rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide; refreshed continually. Prices are seller asking prices unless marked as auction results.