James Boswell
71 copies for sale · $20–$15,000 · 17 first editions · 2 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
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 Life Of Samuel Johnson Ll D Together With The Journal Of A Tour To The Hebrides Edited (signed) — James Cummins Bookseller$2,250
Boswell's London Journal (first edition) — James Cummins Bookseller$150
Boswells Journal Of A Tour To The Hebrides With Samuel Johnson Ll D Now First Published Fr (first edition) — Bartleby's Books$150
THE LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON, VOL. III : ; Franklin Library Great Books of the Western World (first edition) — Rare Book Cellar$98
THE LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON LL.D. 4 VOLUME SET; Including a Journal of His Tour to the Hebr — Rare Book Cellar$2,888
Life Of Samuel Johnson Crokers Second Extra Illustrated — Heritage Book Shop$2,500
The Journal Of A Tour To The Hebrides With Samuel Johnson Ll D By James Boswell Esq Contai — John Windle Antiquarian$1,250
The Yale Editions Of The Private Papers Of James Boswell The First Six Volumes Of This Edi — Bartleby's Books$600
Works on the market
THE LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON12 copies · $20–$400
BOSWELL'S LONDON JOURNAL 1762-17634 copies · $20–$50
Life Of Samuel Johnson Ll D2 copies · $450–$15,000
The Life Of Samuel Johnson Ll D Together With The Journal Of A Tour To The Hebrides Edited2 copies · $20–$2,250
The Life Of Samuel Johnson Ll D Comprehending An Account Of His Studies And Numerous Works2 copies · $250–$1,500
A Journal of A Tour To The Hebrides with Samuel Johnson, LL.D.2 copies · $20–$650
THE LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON 3 VOLUME SET; Franklin Library2 copies · $476–$478
THE LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON VOLUME II2 copies · $39–$258
Boswell in Holland 1763-1764. Including his correspondence with Belle de Zuylen Zélide . F2 copies · $150
THE LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON ; Modern Library2 copies · $33–$57
THE LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON; Modern Library No 2822 copies · $47
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
The Life Of Samuel Johnson Ll D Comprehending An Account Of His Studies And Numerous Works1 copy · $4,200
THE LIFE OF SAMUEL JOHNSON LL.D. 4 VOLUME SET; Including a Journal of His Tour to the Hebr1 copy · $2,888
Life Of Samuel Johnson Crokers Second Extra Illustrated1 copy · $2,500
Market context
55 copies of James Boswell's works have left the market recently; the median last-listed price was $200 (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
The Life of Samuel Johnson, 4 vol., 1826; and others on various subjects including art and (forum, 2026-05-07)£320
Boswell's Life of Johnson, 6 vols., 1934-50 (dominic winter, 2026-03-01)£180
The Life of Samuel Johnson, 2 volumes, 1st edition, 1st issue,1791 (dominic winter, 2026-03-01)£580
An Account of Corsica, 1st edition, Glasgow, 1768 (dominic winter, 2026-03-01)£240
Listings aggregated from rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide; refreshed continually. Prices are seller asking prices unless marked as auction results.