Fine Books & Manuscripts

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, to which are Prefixed, a History of the Language, and an English Grammar. London: by W. Strahan for A. Millar, [et al.], 1765. 2 volumes, folio (413 x 254 mm). Title printed in red and black (title in Vol. I laid down, text in double columns, woodcut tail–pieces. Early 20th century half brown levant over marbled boards, raised bands tooled in gilt, gilt titling and double fillets in compartments, all edges dyed red (sigs. a–b in Vol. I repaired at margins with slight browning or soiling, occasional spotting throughout, few tiny worm holes to lower margins, endpapers renewed). Third edition of the most influential dictionary in the history of the English language. Courtney & Smith, p. 55.