Books

Half titles, frontispiece portrait & plate vol. I. A very nice clean copy. Contemp. tree calf, handsomely rebacked in matching calf, raised bands, compartments ruled horizontally in gilt, red morocco labels. Fleeman 55.4D/13; noted by Alston on V, page 39. Scarce in commerce; four copies at auction since 1990. Including the 'Life of Dr. Samuel Johnson. By J. Aikin'. This had already appeared in General Biography, or, Lives, Critical and Historical in 1804.

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.