Lot 496
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HARRIS, John (1666?-1719). Lexicon technicum: Or, an universal English dictionary of arts and sciences: Explaining not only the terms of art, but the arts themselves. London: Dan Brown and others, 1704-10.
HARRIS, John (1666?-1719). Lexicon technicum: Or, an universal English dictionary of arts and sciences: Explaining not only the terms of art, but the arts themselves. London: Dan Brown and others, 1704-10.

Details
HARRIS, John (1666?-1719). Lexicon technicum: Or, an universal English dictionary of arts and sciences: Explaining not only the terms of art, but the arts themselves. London: Dan Brown and others, 1704-10.

2o (314 x 202 mm [Vol. 1]; 326 x 198 mm [Vol. 2]). Engraved portrait frontispiece of John Harris by G. White after R. White [Vol. 1]; titles printed in red and black. 7 engraved plates (2 folding) [Vol. 1]; 7 engraved plates (6 folding) [Vol. 2], numerous text woodcuts in both volumes. Contemporary panelled calf, shield with the Cross of St George within the Garter tooled in blind on front and back covers (rebacked, preserving original black leather spine label) [Vol. 1]; contemporary English blind-tooled panelled calf [Vol. 2]. Provenance: Chapter Library at Windsor Castle (withdrawal stamp) [Vol. 1]. FIRST EDITION. John Harris, Secretary of the Royal Society from 1709, was "the earliest lexicographer to distinguish between a word-book (dictionary) and a subject-book (encyclopedia proper)" (PMM). The Lexicon included lengthy quotes from the works of Sir Isaac Newton, who is included on the subscriptions list in Vol. 2, for a large paper copy. Horblit 25a; PMM 171a; Wellcome III, p.212; Norman 992. (2)