A dictionary of the English language: in which the words are deduced from their originals …The seventh edition

Johnson, Samuel

Published by printed for J.F. & C. Rivington, L. Davis, [et al.], London, 1785

About this Item

Folio, pp. [1150]; lexicon in triple column; engraved frontispiece portrait of Johnson engraved by Thomas Cook after Reynolds, published by Longmans, March 23rd 1787. The portrait is described by Fleeman as "a late addendum for the weekly subscribers"; boards scuffed, else generally a very good, sound copy in 19th-century mottled calf neatly rebacked. This folio edition was printed to counterattack the intrusion into the market by James Harrison, who had begun to reprint the work in 100 six-penny numbers, the first appearing on October 22, 1785. Harrison's edition was, unfortunately, for him, taken from the first edition of 1755; the proprietors, led by Longman, took their edition from the corrected fourth edition. It, too, was printed in weekly numbers, which probably accounts for the irregular size of the title-p. and several other leaves in this copy. This edition is taken from the fourth, and best edition, but it sadly overlooked "the more than 200 instances where the sixth and seventh editions incorporate [Johnson's] last revisions" (Sledd & Kolb, p. 133). Alston V, 182; Fleeman 55.4D/9; Kennedy 6296. Seller Inventory # 64432

Bibliographic Details

Title: A dictionary of the English language: in ...

Publisher: printed for J.F. & C. Rivington, L. Davis, [et al.], London

Publication Date: 1785

Binding: Hardcover