Books

London: printed for A. Millar, W. Law, and B. Cater, 1792. 2 volumes, 8vo, pp. [34] plus unpaginated lexicon in double column; [2] and unpaginated lexicon; engraved portrait by Trotter after Reynolds; contemporary full calf, gilt-paneled spine; cracks at spine ends, labels wanting; good and sound. With the early ownership inscription of Wm. Lawrence, London, 7 Nov., 1795 on each title page. Fleeman notes that the portrait is "often missing." This edition not in Alston. Fleeman 56.1DA/14b: "This is a variant issue of 56.1DA/14a ... with different prelims. Priority is uncertain, but the suspect names in the imprint ... suggest this is the second or subordinate issue." ESTC locates only the National Library of Wales, Harvard and Yale copies only. Fleeman adds Oxford, Huntington (defective), ISU, N.Y. Public (defective), Cincinnati Public, plus 2 in Canada.

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.