- 118
Johnson, Samuel
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- ink and paper
A Dictionary of the English Language. London: Knapton, Longman, Hitch and Hawes, Millar, Dodsley, 1755
2 volumes folio (16 3/8 x 10 1/4 in.; 416 x 254 mm); title printed in red and black; 20th century reverse calf binding in the style of the time, blind tooled and dentelle; first and last blank leaves of the first volume missing. small repairs on the first two leaves of volume 1; tear on leaf C, soiling and foxing.
2 volumes folio (16 3/8 x 10 1/4 in.; 416 x 254 mm); title printed in red and black; 20th century reverse calf binding in the style of the time, blind tooled and dentelle; first and last blank leaves of the first volume missing. small repairs on the first two leaves of volume 1; tear on leaf C, soiling and foxing.
Literature
PMM 201; Rothschild 1237; Courtney & Smith p.54
Condition
first and last blank leaves of the first volume missing. small repairs on the two first leaves of volume 1; tear on leaf C, soiling and foxing.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
First edition of Samuel Johnson's primary work.
"Dr Johnson performed with his Dictionary the most amazing, enduring and endearing one-man feat in the field of lexicography. Adam Smith (...) compared it favourably with the best international dictionaries of modern language the available, those of the Academie Française and of the Accademia della Crusca, both of which "were composed by a numerous society of learned men and took up a longer time in the composition than the life of a single person could well have afforded"; whereas the English dictionary was 'the work of a single person and composed in a period of time very considerable when compared with the extent of the work.' (PMM, 201)