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First edition, first issue, of the first revision of Johnson's Dictionary, 5 volumes, 4to, engraved portrait of Johnson by Hollar after Reynolds, text in double column; full contemporary polished tan calf, black morocco labels on gilt-decorated spines; slight cracking at spine ends, some scuffing to a couple of the boards, and the joints, while without gaps, are becoming tender; a very good, attractive set, with all the half-titles present (see below). Early owner's signature of William Williams on title pages. The first (5-volume) issue is far scarcer than the 4-volume issue of the same year. In it, volume 5, beginning with the letter T, contains the addition of a drop title at the top of leaf B1. B1 here corresponds to 6L3 in the 4-volume issue where leaf 6L3 is signed "Vol. IV 6L3 - Vol. V. B." On the title pages of the 5-volume version is the statement "In Five Volumes," as opposed to "In Four Volumes" in the 4-volume issue. "The change from five vols. to four was effected by combining the first part of vol. 4 with vol. 3, and the second part of vol. 4 with vol. 5" (Fleeman). "Todd made some additions to Johnson's grammar and history of language, extended Johnson's word-list with obsolete and local terms and with derivatives and compounds, improved etymologies, added quotations where they were lacking and corrected some of those which had been given, but left the famous definitions pretty much unchanged" (Sledd & Kolb, p. 154). Fleeman mentions specifically that the work was issued without half-titles, nor does he include the half-titles in his collation, but in fact, they are present here in all five volumes. Courtney & Smith, p. 59 (4 volumes); Fleeman 55.4D/20a; Vancil, p. 126 (4 and 5 volumes). Seller Inventory # 64372
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