Samuel Johnson
35 copies for sale · $25–$19,500 · 10 first editions · 1 signed
Notable copies for sale
A JOURNEY TO THE WESTERN ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND (first edition, signed) — Phillip J. Pirages$2,400
Plan of a Dictionary of the English Language. Addressed to the Right and Honourable Philip (first edition) — Heritage Book Shop$6,000
THE PRINCE OF ABISSINIA. RASSELAS (first edition) — Phillip J. Pirages$3,750
The R.B. Adam Library relating to Dr. Samuel Johnson and his era (first edition) — Rulon-Miller Books$650
A Dictionary of the English Language in 2 vols. (first edition) — Whitmore Rare Books$19,500
A Dictionary of the English Language in 2 vols. (first edition) — Whitmore Rare Books$16,500
The poetical works of Samuel Johnson, L.L.D. complete in one volume. A new edition (first edition) — Rulon-Miller Books$125
An account of the life of Mr. Richard Savage. Son of the Earl of Rivers — Hordern House$4,850
Mr Johnsons Preface To His Edition Of Shakespears Plays — Phillip J. Pirages$4,000
The Works of Samuel Johnson in 16 vols. — Whitmore Rare Books$2,500
A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland (first edition) — James Cummins Bookseller$1,500
A Dictionary Of The English Language In Which The Words Are Deduced From Their Originals A (first edition) — Burnside Rare Books$18,500
Works on the market
A Dictionary Of The English Language In Which The Words Are Deduced From The Originals Abs9 copies · $375–$18,500
A Dictionary of the English Language in 2 vols.2 copies · $16,500–$19,500
A JOURNEY TO THE WESTERN ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND2 copies · $1,500–$2,400
The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets: with Critical Observations on their Works2 copies · $375–$650
A Dictionary of the English Language1 copy · $16,500
Plan of a Dictionary of the English Language. Addressed to the Right and Honourable Philip1 copy · $6,000
Mr Johnsons Preface To His Edition Of Shakespears Plays1 copy · $4,000
THE PRINCE OF ABISSINIA. RASSELAS1 copy · $3,750
The Works of Samuel Johnson in 16 vols.1 copy · $2,500
Political tracts. Containing, The False Alarm. Falkland Islands. The Patriot; and, Taxatio1 copy · $1,550
THE POETICAL WORKS OF SAMUEL JOHNSON1 copy · $850
Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets; The1 copy · $750
THE LIVES OF THE MOST EMINENT ENGLISH POETS1 copy · $350
Johnson's dictionary of the English language in miniature ... to which are added an abridg1 copy · $300
The rambler. In four volumes1 copy · $250
Johnsons Dictionary Of The English Language In Miniature To Which Are Added An Alphabetica1 copy · $225
Rasselas1 copy · $150
Market context
33 copies of Samuel Johnson's works have left the market recently; the median last-listed price was $225 (last listed prices at time of sale or removal, not confirmed sale prices).
Recent auction results (hammer prices, premiums not included):
The Works of the English Poets, with Prefaces, Biographical and Critical, 72 vol. only (of (forum, 2026-06-04)£35
Browne (Sir Thomas) Christian Morals...with a Life of the Author, by Samuel Johnson, 1756; (forum, 2026-06-04)£600
A Dictionary of the English Language, 2 vols., 6th ed., 1785 (dominic winter, 2026-05-01)£360
The Lives of the English Poets..., 1779-81..., and others (dominic winter, 2026-05-01)£240
Listings aggregated from rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide; refreshed continually. Prices are seller asking prices unless marked as auction results.