Samuel Johnson
116 copies for sale · $20–$19,500 · 77 first editions · 2 signed
Notable copies for sale
A JOURNEY TO THE WESTERN ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND (first edition, signed) — Phillip J. Pirages$2,400
A Dictionary Of The English Language In Which The Words Are Deduced From Their Originals A (first edition) — Burnside Rare Books$18,500
A DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (first edition) — Type Punch Matrix$12,500
The Plan of a Dictionary of the English Language; Addressed to the Right Honourable Philip (first edition) — James Cummins Bookseller$7,500
Plan of a Dictionary of the English Language. Addressed to the Right and Honourable Philip (first edition) — Heritage Book Shop$6,000
Rasselas The Prince of Abissinia. A Tale (first edition) — James Cummins Bookseller$6,000
THE PRINCE OF ABISSINIA. RASSELAS (first edition) — Phillip J. Pirages$3,750
Thoughts on the late transactions respecting Falkland's islands (first edition) — Rulon-Miller Books$750
A Tour to the Western Islands, with Essays on a Variety of Subjects (first edition) — Bartleby's Books$450
Irene: A Tragedy. As It Was Acted at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane (first edition) — James Cummins Bookseller$350
An Essay Concerning Parliaments at a Certainty, Or the Kalends of May (first edition) — The Lawbook Exchange$250
The POETICAL WORKS Of SAMUEL JOHNSON, LL.D. Now First Collected in One Volume (first edition) — Tavistock Books$225
Works on the market
The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets: with Critical Observations on their Works5 copies · $250–$3,000
A Dictionary of the English Language2 copies · £16,500–£65,000
A Dictionary of the English Language in 2 vols.2 copies · $16,500–$19,500
THE LIVES OF THE MOST EMINENT ENGLISH POETS; WITH CRITICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR WORKS2 copies · $55–$425
A Dictionary Of The English Language In Which The Words Are Deduced From Their Originals A1 copy · $18,500
A DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE1 copy · $12,500
The Plan of a Dictionary of the English Language; Addressed to the Right Honourable Philip1 copy · $7,500
Plan of a Dictionary of the English Language. Addressed to the Right and Honourable Philip1 copy · $6,000
Rasselas The Prince of Abissinia. A Tale1 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
A JOURNEY TO THE WESTERN ISLANDS OF SCOTLAND1 copy · $2,400
Political Tracts. Containing, The False Alarm. Falkland's Islands. The Patriot; and, Taxat1 copy · $1,950
Political tracts. Containing, The False Alarm. Falkland's Islands. The Patriot; and, Taxat1 copy · A$1,550
Miscellaneous and Fugitive Pieces1 copy · $1,000
A Dictionary Of The English Language Together With A History Of The Language And An Englis1 copy · $950
THE POETICAL WORKS OF SAMUEL JOHNSON1 copy · $850
Market context
125 copies of Samuel Johnson's works have left the market recently; the median last-listed price was $350 (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, 75 vol., 1790?; (bonhams, 2026-07-09)£1,100
A Dictionary of the English Language, 2 vol., W. Strahan for A. Millar, T. Longman, 1765 (bonhams, 2026-07-09)£1,500
Dictionary, 2 vols, 2nd octavo edition, 1760 (dominic winter, 2026-07-01)£240
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
The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets; with Critical Observations on Their Works, 4 (forum, 2026-05-07)£2,000
Listings aggregated from rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide; refreshed continually. Prices are seller asking prices unless marked as auction results.