Rasselas by Samuel Johnson Value Guide

This 1811 United Kingdom edition of 'Rasselas' represents a significant era in the publication history of Samuel Johnson's most famous philosophical romance. Originally written in just one week to fund his mother's funeral, this specific early 19th-century printing is highly collectible for its period-correct leather binding and inclusion of illustrative plates.

What affects the value of Rasselas by Samuel Johnson?

• The physical condition of the leather binding, specifically looking for 'red rot' or detached boards which decrease value.
• The presence and clarity of the internal illustrations, as missing plates significantly lower the market price.
• Provenance or previous ownership marks, such as period bookplates or signatures from the early 1800s.
• The overall preservation of the paper, including the level of foxing or water staining throughout the text block.

How to Identify Rasselas by Samuel Johnson?

• Verify the 1811 publication date on the title page, typically printed in Roman or Arabic numerals.
• Check for the presence of specific period illustrations which distinguish this edition from the text-only 1759 originals.
• Examine the binding for authentic early 19th-century leather craftsmanship and gold-leaf tooling common to UK printers of the era.
• Look for the publisher's imprint from London or other UK cities to confirm its British origin.

History of Rasselas by Samuel Johnson

First published in 1759, 'Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia' is a philosophical romance by Samuel Johnson. It tells the story of Rasselas, who escapes his pampered life in the Happy Valley to explore the world and search for happiness, only to find that contentment remains elusive. Johnson reportedly wrote the entire novel in the evenings of one week to pay for his mother's funeral and to settle her debts. It quickly became popular and was translated into several languages, influencing many writers and philosophers.