Books

London: W. Strahan for J. Knapton et al., 1755. First Edition. Hardcover. Volume 1 title page with small paper repair to upper fore-edge; volume 2 title page damp-stained; occasional light spotting, the second volume with occasional light marginal damp-staining. Near Fine, attractive copy. Two tall, thick folio (10-1/2" x 17") volumes, each with a title page, in contemporary calf leather neatly rebacked with the original spines with contrasting red and black morocco spine labels. The true First Edition of Johnson's great literary labor, “a monument of industry and talent [and] the unrivalled authority for the English language” (COURTNEY AND SMITH, page 54) and “the most amazing, enduring and endearing one-man feat in the field of lexicography” (PRINTING AND THE MIND OF MAN). SLATE contributor Adam Kirsch in a 2003 NPR broadcast said this about Johnson's DICTIONARY: "The modern dictionary's ideal reader is a Martian scientist: someone with no background knowledge who wants a…

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.