Tour to the Hebrides by James Boswell, 1786, Custom Sims Binding

Full Title:  The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson, LL.D. Containing Some Poetical Pieces by Dr. Johnson, Relative to the Tour, and Never Before Published; A Series of His Conversation, Literary Anecdotes, and Opinions of Men and Books; With an Authentick Account of the Distresses and Escape of the Grandson of King James II in the Year 1746

Binding Details:  Fine contemporary binding by the Sims Bindery in the style of a late eighteenth century period-style binding. The binding is full marbled calf leather with red morocco label on the flat spine. The spine also features wide gilt pallets and oval center tools. Floral roll border to the front and rear boards.  Laid into the book is a signed card from Andrew Sims stating that the book was bound by the Sims Bindery.

Book Details:  First published in 1785, this is the third edition, corrected and revised, that was published in 1786. The book contains the scarce large fold-out map which is fully intact as well as both the advertisement to the third edition and also the single ad leaf at the rear after the appendix on The Life of Samuel Johnson. As is common, this volume lacks the half-title page.

The book measures 8.5” x 5.5”, 442 pages plus advertisements and fold-out map.

Condition Report: The binding is in FINE condition. Internally, the book is generally clean with some marginal browning to the contents pages, spotting to the map, and offsetting to the adjoining pages (see photos below). There are no signs of previous ownership. Overall, this is a beautiful binding that houses a very well preserved copy of one of the most famous travel journals ever written.

Photographs of the binding, binder’s card, map, and examples of the contents from the book appear in the photo section of the listing.