Beschreibung:

JOHNSON, Samuel (1709-1784). 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 . London: W. Strahan for J. and P. Knapton, T. and N. Longman, C. Hitch and L. Hawes, A. Millar, and R. and J. Dodsley, 1755. 2 o (416 x 250 mm). Titles in red and black, woodcut tailpieces. (Both titles and second leaf of vol. II reinforced at gutter, some mild creasing at beginning of first volume, some occasional spotting and soiling.) Modern panelled calf antique. Provenance : Percival Lewis (bookplates in original calf covers accompanying the book). FIRST EDITION of "the most amazing, enduring and endearing one-man feat in the field of lexicography" (PMM). Strahan's ledger shows that a printing charge was made to the proprietors of the Dictionary at least as early as December, 1750. By the beginning of 1753, Johnson had resolved his differences with booksellers, and progress became more rapid, though he did not start the second volume until April, 1753. The Dictionary was officially published on April 15, 1755, in an edition of 2000 copies, and sold at the high price of £4-10s-0d. Fleeman estimates that "more than half" the copies survive. Courtney & Smith, p.54; Chapman & Hazen, p.137; Fleeman I, p.410; PMM 201; Rothschild 1237; Slade & Kolb Johnson's Dictionary , pp. 105-113. (2)