Books

London: Harrison and Co, 1786. First edition. Leather. Very Good Indeed. 17" by 10.5". Not Stated. A beautiful edition of Johnson's dictionary, a striking copy of the first edition complete in one volume. The first edition to be published in one volume, published by Harrison & Co. This immense work has previously always been published in two volumes.Very smartly rebound in a half calf binding with marbled paper to the boards, and a pretty gilt decoration to the spine. Bound by the Athene Bindery in 2002.Illustrated with a portrait frontispiece.Register runs as [1], a-d2, [A1], B2, C1, [14], C2, D-12O2.ESTC citation number T116651.Collated, complete.'A Dictionary of the English Language' is one of the most influential dictionaries in the history of the English language, and was the pre-eminent English dictionary under the 'Oxford English Dictionary' was completed one-hundred and seventy-three years after Johnson's was published.Johnson took around seven years to complete this…

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.