Lot 26 , Johnson, Samuel - A Dictionary of the English Language: in which The Words are deduced from their Originals, and Illustrated in their Different Significations by Examples from the best Writers. To which are prefixed, A H

° Johnson, Samuel - A Dictionary of the English Language: in which The Words are deduced from their Originals, and Illustrated in their Different Significations by Examples from the best Writers. To which are prefixed, A History of the Language, and An English Grammar. 1755. First edition. W. Strahan, for J. and P. Knapton; T. and T. Longman; C. Hitch and L. Hawes; A. Millar; and R. and J. Dodsley, 1755. 2 vols. folio. Titles in red and black, woodcut tailpieces. Contemporary calf boards expertly rebacked to style with raised bands, gilt tooled decorations and rules in compartments, red and black gilt lettered labels. Engraved bookplate to front pastedowns, dated 1882, of Herbert Arthur Evans (1846–1923), author and Shakespeare scholar.
£2,000-3,000

Condition:
light intermittant damp stain to margin of Vol II, and a few leaves in Vol.I, occasional spotting and browning, boards scuffed, small worm hole to front endpaper in Vol.II, corner of one leave missing in Vol.II with no loss to text. title, preface and all preliminaries correct inc. directions to binder present. A-13B; 15A-31C2. Courtney and Smith p. 54.