A Dictionary of the English Language: In Which the Words are deduced from their Originals, and Illustrated in their Different Significations by Examples from the best Writers. To Which Are Prefixed, a History of the Language, and an English Grammar Author: Johnson, Samuel Place: London Publisher: Printed by W. Strahan, for J. & P. Knapton, et al. Date: 1755 Description: 2 volumes. Text in two columns. (Folio) 39x23.5 cm (15¼x9¼") modern three-quarter calf & cloth, spines tooled in gilt, raised bands, morocco lettering pieces, new endpapers. First Edition. First edition of Johnson's Dictionary, possibly the most important book in the history of English. This is a very interesting and distinctive copy, with some 200+ handwritten contemporary notes adding words to Johnson’s Dictionary. Mostly written on small slips of paper pasted onto the margins of the book, this method of adding words to the dictionary is evocative of Johnson’s own practice in emending his dictionary. The first edition was published in April 1755 in a printing of 2000 copies. PMM 201; Rothschild 1237. Printing and the Mind of Man declartes that "Dr. Johnson performed with his Dictionary the most amazing, enduring and endearing one-man feat in the field of lexicography…It is the dictionary itself which justifies Noah Webster’s statement that ‘Johnson’s writings had, in philology, the effect which Newton’s discoveries had in mathematics’. Johnson introduced into English lexicography principles which had already been accepted in Europe but were quite novel in mid-eighteenth-century England. He codified the spelling of English words; he gave full and lucid definitions of their meanings (often entertainingly coloured by his High Church and Tory propensities); and he adduced extensive and apt illustrations from a wide range of authoritative writers..." Due to the size and/or weight of this lot extra shipping and/or handling charges may apply. Lot Amendments Condition: Title page of Vol. I detached, formerly creased, now flattened with some restoration, following leaf repaired with margins extended; Vol. II title page with large chips affecting letters of title and imprint, laid down on backing leaf, following 5 leaves likewise with chips and repairs affecting some text; very good overall, a desirable copy. Item number: 337778
A Dictionary of the English Language: In Which the Words are deduced from their Originals, and Illustrated in their Different Significations by Examples from the best Writers. To Which Are Prefixed, a History of the Language, and an English Grammar Author: Johnson, Samuel Place: London Publisher: Printed by W. Strahan, for J. & P. Knapton, et al. Date: 1755 Description: 2 volumes. Text in two columns. (Folio) 39x23.5 cm (15¼x9¼") modern three-quarter calf & cloth, spines tooled in gilt, raised bands, morocco lettering pieces, new endpapers. First Edition. First edition of Johnson's Dictionary, possibly the most important book in the history of English. This is a very interesting and distinctive copy, with some 200+ handwritten contemporary notes adding words to Johnson’s Dictionary. Mostly written on small slips of paper pasted onto the margins of the book, this method of adding words to the dictionary is evocative of Johnson’s own practice in emending his dictionary. The first edition was published in April 1755 in a printing of 2000 copies. PMM 201; Rothschild 1237. Printing and the Mind of Man declartes that "Dr. Johnson performed with his Dictionary the most amazing, enduring and endearing one-man feat in the field of lexicography…It is the dictionary itself which justifies Noah Webster’s statement that ‘Johnson’s writings had, in philology, the effect which Newton’s discoveries had in mathematics’. Johnson introduced into English lexicography principles which had already been accepted in Europe but were quite novel in mid-eighteenth-century England. He codified the spelling of English words; he gave full and lucid definitions of their meanings (often entertainingly coloured by his High Church and Tory propensities); and he adduced extensive and apt illustrations from a wide range of authoritative writers..." Due to the size and/or weight of this lot extra shipping and/or handling charges may apply. Lot Amendments Condition: Title page of Vol. I detached, formerly creased, now flattened with some restoration, following leaf repaired with margins extended; Vol. II title page with large chips affecting letters of title and imprint, laid down on backing leaf, following 5 leaves likewise with chips and repairs affecting some text; very good overall, a desirable copy. Item number: 337778
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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