Books

FIRST EDITION WITH PRONUNCIATION - HANDSOME COPY IN A VELLUM BINDING first edition thus, with pronunciation 2 vols. 4to. (27.6 x 22 cms.) [68 (title, subscribers, preface, etc)], [1029], [3 (blank)]; [2 (title)], [1080]pp., fine engraved portrait plate of Johnson (engraved by S. Clayton from the Joshua Reynolds painting), dictionary text printed triple column, contemporary quarter vellum, smooth spines with powder blue morocco title labels gilt, pale grey paper on sides, rear endpapers of both vols. damp spotted, last few leaves of vol. 1 with very minor old marginal water stains, upper part of the leaves in the latter half of vol. 2 with an unobtrusive light old water stain (diminishing in extent from the rear) mainly scarcely visible (only really visible in the last few gatherings, and even there not disfiguring), else a very nice fresh copy. A particularly handsome copy in an unusual binding for an Irish-printed book of this period. Alston v.190 Not in Bradshaw or…

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.