Four Oaks Farm, Four Oaks Library (Two-Volume Boxed Set)

Somerville, New Jersey: Privately Published, 1967. Complete 2 volume set. Very Fine condition in a Very Good slipcase. Sharp corners. Pages are fresh and crisp - probably never read. The two volumes are limited to 1000, and 1250 copies respectively. Edited by Gabriel Austin. The Hydes brought together what was probably the best Samuel Johnson collection ever in private hands. They acquired Johnson material of major significance through their friendship with Ralph Isham. They bought en bloc the magnificent R. B. Adam collection. Aggressive buying at the A. E. Newton and other auctions as well as from prominent dealers continued to expand the collection. These volumes tell the fascinating story of the library the Hydes built and the friends and scholars they met along the way. There is much of historical interest on Johnson, Boswell, Mrs. Thrale, others in their circle, and manuscripts, books, and personal artifacts relating to them. Included are essays by James Clifford, L. F. Powell, Robert Metzdorf, Charles Ryskamp, etc. One volume is signed, and both have the bookplate of Francis Waring Robinson (1907-1985). Robinson received his bachelor's degree (1929) and master's of fine arts degree (1933) from Princeton University. His post-graduate work was at Harvard University. Mr. Robinson became a curator of the Detroit Institute of Arts in 1939 -- first in European art, then in ancient and medieval art. He retired from the DIA in 1972. Oversize Hardcover. 6.25" wide by 10" tall by 2" thick. This heavy 2 volume set will require extra postage for Priority and International shipments, but only the standard charge for media mail. Complete with original marbled-paper covered slipcase.. First Editions. Oversize Hardcover (heavy). Very Fine condition/Very Good slipcase. Illus. by We ship 2 volumes for cost of 1 by media mail. 2 vols : 125pp. + 158pp. Great Packaging, Fast Shipping.