Johnson's Dictionary of the English language in miniature
by Johnson, Samuel
- Used
- good
- Hardcover
- Condition
- Good
- Seller
-
Spray, Oregon, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: Printed by C. Whittingham for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme et al, 1805. Nineteenth Edition. Hardcover. Good. 24mo 5" - 6" tall. Stated Nineteenth Edition of Johnson's magnificent work of intellect and language, published a half-century after its first appearance in 1755. Rebound in white cloth over boards, gilt lettering and ruling to spine. New endpapers, the result being stiff, sturdy. Extensive penned inscription from former owner, verso of title page, thus leading to shadowing thereof. The iconic black-and-white engraving of Samuel Johnson opposite title page, soiled and toned a bit. Moderately toned of interior, double-column text for ease of reading, and with simple, short entries. Measures 5 3/4" x 3 7/8" wide and tall, respectively. First published as, colloquially, Johnson's Dictionary, it quickly became among the most influential dictionaries in the history of the English language; the story of Johnson's contracting by a group of London booksellers to write and have published, a dictionary, is a long and complicated, fascinating story; he earned, says his Wikipedia entry, "the sum of 1,500 guineas (£1,575), equivalent to about £260,000 in 2024." It took him seven years though he promised he could finish it in three. "He did so single-handedly, with only clerical assistance to copy the illustrative quotations that he had marked in books. Johnson produced several revised editions during his life." "J.H." (the Reverend Joseph Hamilton) provides a two-page advertisement up front and a list of abbreviations, then 276 pp. of double-column text including a chronological table. Most entries are a single line in length.Member, I.O.B.A., C.B.A., and adherent to the highest ethical standards. Additional postage may be required for oversize or especially heavy volumes, and for sets.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Structure, Verses, Agency Books - Member, I.O.B.A. (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 357205
- Title
- Johnson's Dictionary of the English language in miniature
- Author
- Johnson, Samuel
- Format/Binding
- Hardcover
- Book Condition
- Used - Good
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- Nineteenth Edition
- Publisher
- Printed by C. Whittingham for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme et al
- Place of Publication
- London
- Date Published
- 1805
- Size
- 24mo 5" - 6" tall
- Weight
- 0.00 lbs
- Keywords
- Samuel Johnson dictionary English history English culture language linguistics
Terms of Sale
Structure, Verses, Agency Books - Member, I.O.B.A.
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About the Seller
Structure, Verses, Agency Books - Member, I.O.B.A.
Biblio member since 2005
Spray, Oregon
About Structure, Verses, Agency Books - Member, I.O.B.A.
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Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- New
- A new book is a book previously not circulated to a buyer. Although a new book is typically free of any faults or defects, "new"...
- Cloth
- "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
- Title Page
- A page at the front of a book which may contain the title of the book, any subtitles, the authors, contributors, editors, the...
- Rebound
- A book in which the pages have been bound into a covering replacing the original covering issued by the publisher.
- Verso
- The page bound on the left side of a book, opposite to the recto page.
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- Soiled
- Generally refers to minor discoloration or staining.
- Gilt
- The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...