Books

London: J.F. and C. Rivington [et al.], 1785. Second quarto edition (the first quarto was published in Dublin, 1775), 2 volumes, Vol. I: [a2]-b4 c-h2 i-k4 g-h4 B-4F4 4N-6X4 (with 5X2 missigned 5Z2), Vol. II: [A]1 B-3Y4 3Z2 A-3Y4 3Z2; engraved frontispiece portrait of Johnson after Reynolds, text in triple column, without the half-title in volume I; contemporary full russia, gilt-ruled covers, smooth gilt-decorated spines laid out in 6 compartments, red and black morocco labels and onlays The complete text, with Johnson's final corrections. "There was no folio sixth edition, just this quarto, which was printed from Samuel Johnson's own corrected copy of the fourth folio edition (1773), which he bequeathed to Sir Joshua Reynolds ... Though several printers were involved in the production of this sixth edition, Strahan's account shows that both the sixth (quarto) and the seventh (folio) were printed together. Moreover, the evidence of typesetting shows that the type set for the quarto…

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.