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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 volumes, 2o (423 x 263 mm). Titles in red and black, woodcut tailpieces. (A few areas of very minor spotting, a few marginal repairs, a few wormholes to the lower margins of the first leaves of vol. II not affecting text and repaired on title-page of vol. II.) Later calf (covers detached). Provenance: Henry Labourbere (bookplate in each volume).
FIRST EDITION of "the most amazing, enduring and endearing one-man feat in the field of lexicography" (PMM). Johnson, while of phenomenal memory and able to write with great rapidity, nevertheless suffered from what is now known as "writer's block." Strahan's ledger shows that a printing charge was made to the proprietors of the Dictionary at least as early December, 1750. However, there is no further reference to charges between December, 1750, and May, 1752, and at this stage the proprietors, who were entirely dependent on Johnson's goodwill and industry, must have wondered whether he would ever complete the work. By the beginning of 1753, however, his differences with the booksellers were resolved, 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. 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)
2 volumes, 2
FIRST EDITION of "the most amazing, enduring and endearing one-man feat in the field of lexicography" (PMM). Johnson, while of phenomenal memory and able to write with great rapidity, nevertheless suffered from what is now known as "writer's block." Strahan's ledger shows that a printing charge was made to the proprietors of the Dictionary at least as early December, 1750. However, there is no further reference to charges between December, 1750, and May, 1752, and at this stage the proprietors, who were entirely dependent on Johnson's goodwill and industry, must have wondered whether he would ever complete the work. By the beginning of 1753, however, his differences with the booksellers were resolved, 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. 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)