Books

DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE in Which the Words are deduced from their Originals To Which are Prefixed a History of the Language and An English Grammar, London, W. Strahan for J. and P. Knapton, 1755, first edition, two volumes, large folio (16 -1/2 x 10 -1/4 inches; 412 x 254 mm.), unpaginated. Text in double columns with title-pages printed in red and black along with decorative woodcut tail-pieces. 1/2,000 copies. A most handsome rebound copy in full leather with raised spines and with professional repair to the fore edge corner tips as needed. The title page of volume 2 has been relaid down to promote the loss of the original bottom inch and the first page of text of this volume exhibits some modest wrinkling. All in all, a sumptuous copy with virtually no staining nor foxing and bright brilliant text. A Printing and the Mind of Man title.

Samuel Johnson's 'A Dictionary of the English Language' is among the most influential dictionaries in the history of the English language. First published on 15 April 1755, the dictionary offered comprehensive definitions and illustrative examples of usage.

First editions can be determined by the presence of certain misprints, as Johnson's Dictionary underwent numerous small alterations as later editions were printed. The first edition is also spread over two large, heavy volumes.