JOHNSON, Samuel (1709?1784). The Rambler. London: J. Payne and J. Bouquet, 1751. 2 vols. Folio (284 x 178 mm). FIRST EDITION WITH CHARACTERISTIC FOLD MARKS (as done for delivery), bound from the original 208 parts (March 20, 1750?March 17, 1752), WITH FIRST ISSUE TITLE PAGE IN VOLUME I (issued 1751), later issue of No. 1 with additional line at imprint, FIRST ISSUE of parts 2?4 without additional line. Woodcut headpieces. Later half calf over marbled boards, red and black morocco spine labels titled in gilt, remainder stamped in black, all edges dyed red, marbled endpapers (spine a bit rubbed near ends, few tiny chips to spine labels); CONTENTS FINE. Courtney?Smith, pp. 25?30; Rothschild 1234. SCARCE FIRST PRINTING OF THE POPULAR PERIODICALS OF THE DAY. Provenance: From the private library of a local Chicago collector, part one