Item #12462 A Dictionary of the English Language - Third Edition (2 Vols). Samuel Johnson.
A Dictionary of the English Language - Third Edition (2 Vols)
A Dictionary of the English Language - Third Edition (2 Vols)
A Dictionary of the English Language - Third Edition (2 Vols)
A Dictionary of the English Language - Third Edition (2 Vols)
A Dictionary of the English Language - Third Edition (2 Vols)
A Dictionary of the English Language - Third Edition (2 Vols)
A Dictionary of the English Language - Third Edition (2 Vols)
A Dictionary of the English Language - Third Edition (2 Vols)

A Dictionary of the English Language - Third Edition (2 Vols)

London: W. Strahan for A. Millar, T. Longman, J. Dodsley, et al, 1765. Very Good. Item #12462

London: W. Strahan for A. Millar, T. Longman, J. Dodsley, et al, 1765. Third Edition. Two Volumes. Folios (16.75" x 10.5"). Modern binding in black leather with blindstamped bordering, gilt embellishments and red and green title backgrounds on spines. Ownership signature of a James Hay at top of each title page; loose bookplate with Hay family -- likely salvaged from earlier binding -- laid in at front of first volume, along with a letter from an Emily Hay to a Mr. Carlisle presenting the volumes to him for his father's library.

Both volumes collated and complete. Bindings are sturdy and clean. Paper repair along edges of each title page with no loss of text. Small chip at top corner of page starting with "Conclusive;" pencil notation after Johnson's mis-definition of Pastern reading "J's ignorance," referring to Johnson's own reply of "Ignorance, madam, pure ignorance" when questioned about the mistake; closed inch tear at bottom margin of page starting with "Retribute" and another at bottom corner of pages starting "Sixpence"; some waterspots to fore-edge of second volume with a few instances of thumbprints throughout or of very shallow dampstaining along bottom edge and fore-edge on a handful of latter pages. Pages variously toned with some gradual rippling, but clean and unmarked apart from the above. Bindings are tight and secure.

An issue of William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine from January 1895 describes an identical bookplate -- "three escutcheons ... A demi-countryman, holding over his shoulder an ox yoke. Motto above the crest, Renovate Animos; below the arms, Gulielmus" -- and speculates the bookplate's ties to Dr. Peter Hay, an apothecary of Williamsburg, Virginia and a book collector, who died sometime between 1766-1769, but we have yet to connect further dots.

[Courtney & Smith P. 55; Alston V-179].

Price: $3,000.00