Books

Two volumes. Quarto, contemporary calf neatly rebacked (hardcover, leather), calf labels. Fine engraved portrait (dated 1786, as always, and executed during printing process). This edition contains the original Preface, History of the English Language, &c., and the Advertisement to the Fourth Edition. Good; joints tender, some shelf wear, title labels chipped, spines discolored (by a light-colored leather dressing?), text clean and crisp, bearing the bookplate of J. D. Barnard. Linguistics, Language, Dictionary. JBS.

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.