Samuel Johnson
93 copies for sale · $25–$19,500 · 9 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
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
An account of the life of Mr. Richard Savage. Son of the Earl of Rivers — Hordern HouseA$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
Political tracts. Containing, The False Alarm. Falkland Islands. The Patriot; and, Taxatio — Hordern HouseA$1,550
THE POETICAL WORKS OF SAMUEL JOHNSON — Phillip J. Pirages$850
Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets; The — David Brass Rare Books$750
THE LIVES OF THE MOST EMINENT ENGLISH POETS; WITH CRITICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR WORKS (first edition) — Johnnycake Books$425
Works on the market
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
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
Mr. Johnson's Preface to His Edition of Shakespear's Plays1 copy · $3,000
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 · $1,750
Political tracts. Containing, The False Alarm. Falkland Islands. The Patriot; and, Taxatio1 copy · A$1,550
A dictionary of the English language in which the words are deduced from the originals..1 copy · $1,250
Irene: A Tragedy1 copy · $1,250
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
Market context
27 copies of Samuel Johnson's works have left the market recently; the median last-listed price was $125 (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.