JOHNSON, Samuel. A Dictionary of the English Language London: W. Strahan for J. and P. Knapton, T. and T. Longman [and 5 others], 1755-56, 2 volumes, 2°, second edition, titles printed in red and black (occasional light spotting), 19th-century olive green calf decorated in blind (light rubbing and scuffing), spines gilt with maroon morocco lettering-pieces. [Courtney & Smith p. 55] (2)

Details

JOHNSON, Samuel. A Dictionary of the English Language London: W. Strahan for J. and P. Knapton, T. and T. Longman [and 5 others], 1755-56, 2 volumes, 2°, second edition, titles printed in red and black (occasional light spotting), 19th-century olive green calf decorated in blind (light rubbing and scuffing), spines gilt with maroon morocco lettering-pieces. [Courtney & Smith p. 55] (2)

Provenance

John Corneille, early signature and initials on titles; John Robinson Price, armorial bookplate.

Lot Essay

Unlike the first, the second edition of Johnson's Dictionary was published in weekly parts. "For sixpence weekly subscribers could obtain the Dictionary in 165 numbers containing three and four sheets alternately, while for a shilling a week they could get it twice as quickly in numbers containing seven sheets each" (Sledd & Kolb, p. 113). This is A GOOD, CLEAN COPY.

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