Webster, NoahBiblio.com
445 résultats
183950059New Haven: S. Babcock 1839. First edition small 8vo pp. viii 9-248; full contemporary sheep rebacked; good sound copy with an important presentation "To Professor Silliman with the author's regards." A tear through the presentation has been skillfully mended and as the inscription is written in red pencil it is a bit faint. With Silliman's bookplate on the front pastedown and the subsequent bookplate of Henry McIntosh. In a quarter brown morocco clamshell box. Silliman was perhaps the best-known scientific man in America in the first half of the 19th century a highly respected professor of chemistry and natural history at Yale and a long-time friend of Webster's. Like Webster he was an editor a compiler of textbooks and a prominent Connecticut citizen and Yale alumnus. Skeel 574. S. Babcock unknown
181927297New York: Kirk and Mercein; London: John Miller 1819. First edition 8vo pp. vi 2 431 1 xlvii; engraved frontis portrait and 4 engraved plates 3 with contemporary hand-coloring and 1 folding; contemporary full sheep red morocco label on gilt-paneled spine; spine scuffed and with a small chip out at the top minor foxing; all else good and sound with the full compliment of plates in an unusual colored state. Early ownership signature of "Richard L. Schieffelin New York 1819." Noah 1785-1851 was a lawyer playwright and journalist. He was born in Philadelphia of Portuguese-Jewish ancestry. "In 1813 he was appointed consul to Tunis with a special mission to Algers. He was instructed to negotiate for the release of some Americans held as prisoners by the Algerine pirates. On May 23 1813 he sailed from Charleston but his vessel being captured by the British he was taken to England and detained two months. In October he arrived in Cadiz where he contracted with Richard R. Keene an American who had become a Spanish subject to affect the release of the twelve Americans . After being detained in France and Spain for more than a year Noah finally arrived in Tunis. On July 30 1815 he received a letter from James Monroe secretary of state revoking his commission and hinting at irregularities in his accounts. Monroe's treatment of Noah was never satisfactorily explained though his association with Keene who had been accused of treason was doubtless detrimental.In January 1817 however Noah received a letter from the Department of State which vindicated his conduct and returned several thousand dollars due him in the enterprise which resulted in the release of the American captives" DAB. Rosenbach 205; American Travellers Abroad N17. <br/><br/> Kirk and Mercein; London: John Miller unknown books
1819D17816New York and London: Kirk and Mercein 1819. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. Inscribed by the author and rare thus. This volume recounts Noah's experiences as American consul to Tunis where he successfully negotiated for the release of captured seamen and then was recalled by James Monroe on at least partially anti-Semitic grounds. Rosenbach 205. <br/><br/> Kirk and Mercein hardcover books
183234082London: published by Black Young and Young foreign booksellers to the King 1832. First English edition used by Webster as a template for his 1841 octavo "reprinted by E.H. Barker Esq. of Thetford Norfolk from a copy communicated by the author and containing many manuscript corrections and additions: with an appendix by the editor"; 2 volumes 4to; pp. viii i-civ plus unpaginated lexicon in triple column; 2 and unpaginated lexicon; the publisher's advertisements noted by Skeel have not been preserved in this copy. A good sound copy in mid-19th century half calf over marbled boards rubbed and scuffed top of one spine with small chip; good and sound. One of the scarcest of the early editions of Webster. Of note is the inclusion of Joseph Worcester's "Synopsis of Words pronounced by different Orthoepists" extracted from the American edition of 1829 which was edited by Worcester and published prior to the rift that developed between the two lexicographers. As to the text of the lexicon itself Skeel notes that it "was reworked by the English editor and was not merely a reprinting." Vancil p. 260; Skeel 589A. <br/><br/> published by Black, Young, and Young, foreign booksellers to the King hardcover books
189060306Tokyo & Osaka: various publishers 1890. 17 volumes 12mo and 8vo all in original blue printed paper-covered boards backed in cloth; condition ranges from fair to near fine. All with the title or variant title of The Elementary Spelling-Book with the following imprints and variations: 1 Tokio: Bookselling Co. after 1866 pp. 3-170 2 Japanese title Japanese mss. notes on rear endpaper; 2 Tokio: Rikugokuwan after 1866 pp. 3-170 2 Japanese title Japanese licensing stamps and ownership stamp on first and last leaves in red; 3 Tokio & Osaka: Rikugokuwan after 1866 pp. 3-170 2 Japanese title Japanese licensing stamp in red; 4 Osaka: Nakagawa ca. 1885 pp. 2 Japanese title 170 2 endpapers printed in Japanese; 5 Tokio & Osaka: Bookselling Co. after 1866 Japanese mss. notes and a drawing on the endpapers sadly defective with the loss of the title-p. and several others; 6 Tokio & Osaka: Daitokuwan after 1880 colophon gives publisher as Hobunkwan pp. 3-174 6 ads in both Japanese and English; 7 Tokio & Osaka: Daitokuwan after 1880 pp. 3-174 2 title in Japanese; Japanese licensing stamp in red; 8 Tokio: Maruya & Co. after 1880 pp. 5-174 lacking title-p. printed Maruya ads on rear pastedown; 9 Tokio & Osaka: Daitokuwan after 1880 pp. 3-174 2 title in Japanese; Japanese licensing stamp printed in red; 10 Tokio & Osaka: Daitokuwan after 1880 pp. 3-174; 11 Tokyo: B. Tsujioka after 1880 pp. 3-174; Japanese title on rear pastedown; 12 New York: D. Appleton pp. 3-176; printed Japanese text on both pastedowns; 13 New York: D. Appleton pp. 3-176; printed Japanese text on verso of title page last leaf and rear pastedown; licensing stamp printed in red affixed to last flyleaf; 14 New York: D. Appleton pp. 3-128 lacks last signature Japanese text on rear pastedown; 15 Tokyo: Sugimoto after 1880 pp. 3-174 Japanese mss. on front pastedown Japanese text on rear pastedown; 16 Osaka: Sekizenkwan 1887 pp. 3-114 4 Japanese text; Japanese mss. notes on front and back flyleaves; 17 Osaka: Sekizenkwan 1887 pp. 5-114 1 Japanese text presumably lacking a title-p. but there's no evidence of it. various publishers unknown
183171210London: published by Black Young and Young foreign booksellers to the King 1831. First English edition used by Webster as a template for his 1841 octavo "reprinted by E. H. Barker Esq. of Thetford Norfolk from a copy communicated by the author and containing many manuscript corrections and additions: with an appendix by the editor"; 2 volumes 4to; 20th-century half green straight-grain morocco gilt-titled direct on gilt-paneled spines; title pages a bit foxed vertical crease on the title of volume II; otherwise a very good sound and clean copy preserving the terminal advertisement leaf in volume I. Early 20th-century ownership signature in pencil of Arno Clapham on the least leaf of each volume. One of the scarcest of the early editions of Webster. Of note is the inclusion of Joseph Worcester's "Synopsis of Words pronounced by different Orthoepists" extracted from the American edition of 1829 which was edited by Worcester and published prior to the rift that developed between the two lexicographers. As to the text of the lexicon itself Skeel notes that it "was reworked by the English editor and was not merely a reprinting" which is likely the reason Webster chose it as a model for his 1841 revision. Perhaps there is an article on the relationship between this English edition and the 1841 octavo but I'm not aware of one. Vancil p. 260; see Skeel 589 and 589A. published by Black, Young, and Young, foreign booksellers to the King unknown
183234082London: published by Black Young and Young foreign booksellers to the King 1832. First English edition used by Webster as a template for his 1841 octavo "reprinted by E.H. Barker Esq. of Thetford Norfolk from a copy communicated by the author and containing many manuscript corrections and additions: with an appendix by the editor"; 2 volumes 4to; pp. viii i-civ plus unpaginated lexicon in triple column; 2 and unpaginated lexicon; the publisher's advertisements noted by Skeel have not been preserved in this copy. A good sound copy in mid-19th-century half calf over marbled boards rubbed and scuffed top of one spine with small chip; good and sound. One of the scarcest of the early editions of Webster. Of note is the inclusion of Joseph Worcester's "Synopsis of Words pronounced by different Orthoepists" extracted from the American edition of 1829 which was edited by Worcester and published prior to the rift that developed between the two lexicographers. As to the text of the lexicon itself Skeel notes that it "was reworked by the English editor and was not merely a reprinting." Vancil p. 260; Skeel 589A. published by Black, Young, and Young, foreign booksellers to the King unknown
183950059New Havens: S. Babcock 1839. First edition small 8vo pp. viii 9-248; full contemporary sheep rebacked; good sound copy with an important presentation "To Professor Silliman with the author's regards." A tear through the presentation has been skillfully mended and as the inscription is written in red pencil it is a bit faint. With Silliman's bookplate on the front pastedown and the subsequent bookplate of Henry McIntosh. In a quarter brown morocco clamshell box. Skeel 574. Silliman was perhaps the best-known scientific man in America in the first half of the 19th century a highly respected professor of chemistry and natural history at Yale and a long-time friend of Webster's. Like Webster he was an editor a compiler of textbooks and a prominent Connecticut citizen and Yale alumnus. <br/><br/> S. Babcock unknown books
1880118<p>Some fox in small edge portion of front free flyleaf has been cut off and someone has you say pencil and pulled out the front piece of page page 8 and six page 183 when you deployed one 7 but order rear 4 3 and vehicle problems however your word book and alleged to be the first story about baseball</p> Charles Scribner's Sons hardcover
1842309481New Haven: Published by the Author. Sold by Crocker & Brewster Boston etc. . Printed by B.L. Hamlen 1842. Second edition first octavo edition. Engraved portrait frontispiece to vol. I by Asher Brown Durand after Samuel F.B. Morse no printer's name given. lxxvi 938; 1004 pp. 2 vols. Large 8vo 10-1/2 x 6 7/8 inches; 269 x 174 mm. Contemporary speckled sheep contrasting morocco spine labels marbled endpapers marbled edges. Covers scuffed joints worn some light spotting to text some worming to vol. I not affecting text. Morse Samuel French B. Second edition first octavo edition. Engraved portrait frontispiece to vol. I by Asher Brown Durand after Samuel F.B. Morse no printer's name given. lxxvi 938; 1004 pp. 2 vols. Large 8vo 10-1/2 x 6 7/8 inches; 269 x 174 mm. The Second Edition The First Unabridged Octavo Edition. A fine copy of the rare octavo edition of Webster's unabridged dictionary the last that Webster published before his death in 1843. This is the textually best edition published in Webster's lifetime incorporating his final revisions some 5000 new definitions and a preface and introduction "on the origin history and connection of the languages of western Asia and Europe with an explanation of the principles on which languages are formed." Skeel notes that 3000 copies of this edition were printed fewer than the 5 or 6 thousand that Webster wanted but more than the 2500 of the 1828 first edition. A prospectus Skeel 585 advertised the edition at $13 sheep and $14 calf gilt. The work was in the press for over a year; a note in Webster's hand on a copy in the Connecticut State Library states "First signature of this edition impressed Oct. 22 1839. Last sheet impressed January 30 1841 15 months & days." The edition sold slowly with nearly half of the run still in sheets at the time of Webster's death.<br/>An attractive copy bearing the ownership signatures of George W. Turner dated the year he bought the mansion and farm of Elmscourt now Elms Court in Natchez Mississippi. Skeel 586; cf. Grolier American 36; cf. PMM 291; cf. Sabin 102335. Provenance: George W. Turner of Elmscourt or Elms Court Natchez Mississippi inscription in both volumes dated 1842 Published by the Author. Sold by Crocker & Brewster, Boston, [etc.] ... Printed by B.L. Hamlen unknown books
1842309481New Haven: Published by the Author. Sold by Crocker & Brewster Boston etc. . Printed by B.L. Hamlen 1842. Second edition first octavo edition. Engraved portrait frontispiece to vol. I by Asher Brown Durand after Samuel F.B. Morse no printer's name given. lxxvi 938; 1004 pp. 2 vols. Large 8vo 10-1/2 x 6 7/8 inches; 269 x 174 mm. Contemporary speckled sheep contrasting morocco spine labels marbled endpapers marbled edges. Covers scuffed joints worn some light spotting to text some worming to vol. I not affecting text. Morse Samuel French B. Second edition first octavo edition. Engraved portrait frontispiece to vol. I by Asher Brown Durand after Samuel F.B. Morse no printer's name given. lxxvi 938; 1004 pp. 2 vols. Large 8vo 10-1/2 x 6 7/8 inches; 269 x 174 mm. A fine copy of the rare octavo edition of Webster's unabridged dictionary the last that Webster published before his death in 1843. This is the textually best edition published in Webster's lifetime incorporating his final revisions some 5000 new definitions and a preface and introduction "on the origin history and connection of the languages of western Asia and Europe with an explanation of the principles on which languages are formed." Skeel notes that 3000 copies of this edition were printed fewer than the 5 or 6 thousand that Webster wanted but more than the 2500 of the 1828 first edition. A prospectus Skeel 585 advertised the edition at $13 sheep and $14 calf gilt. The work was in the press for over a year; a note in Webster's hand on a copy in the Connecticut State Library states "First signature of this edition impressed Oct. 22 1839. Last sheet impressed January 30 1841 15 months & days." The edition sold slowly with nearly half of the run still in sheets at the time of Webster's death.<br /> An attractive copy bearing the ownership signatures of George W. Turner dated the year he bought the mansion and farm of Elmscourt now Elms Court in Natchez Mississippi. Skeel 586; cf. Grolier American 36; cf. PMM 291; cf. Sabin 102335. Provenance: George W. Turner of Elmscourt or Elms Court Natchez Mississippi inscription in both volumes dated 1842 Published by the Author. Sold by Crocker & Brewster, Boston, [etc.] ... Printed by B.L. Hamlen unknown
1831LTH27-B-11London: Black Young and Young 1831-2. Leather. Very Good. 11" by 8.5". None. An attractive first UK edition of this famous dictionary in a uniform leather binding. The first UK edition reprinted by E H Barker from a copy communicated by the author and containing manuscript corrections and additions. Complete in two volumes. 'Intended to exhibit I. The origin and affinities of every English word. II. The orthography and the pronunciation of words. III. Accurate and discriminating definitions. To which are prefixed an introductory dissertation on the origin history and connection of the languages of western Asia and of Europe; and a concise grammar.' With an ink inscription that states 'Given to Wm Layton Lowndes' who has charmingly unabbreviated some column heading works in the text. Webster's Dictionary which first appeared in 1828 in America has remained the standard dictionary in the United States. Webster's Dictionary sought to differentiate itself from the standard English dictionary of Dr Johnson and adapted his entries for American English. Originally Webster's dictionary did not sell well until Webster reduced the price front the original $20 to $15. Rebacked in a calf binding with original boards preserved. With contrasting spine labels. Endpapers renewed. Externally boards a trifle rubbed particularly to rear of volume II with surface leather loss. Light rubbing to the spines. Creasing to endpapers. Internally firmly bound. Pages bright and generally clean with occasional light spotting in places. Ink inscription and offsetting from a former bookplate to front blank. Some mild age toning in places. Some column heading works between A-B and J-N have been unabbreviated in a neat contemporary copperplate handwriting. Very Good Black, Young and Young hardcover
181852523New York: C. W. Van Winkle 1818. First edition. Softcover. Nearly Fine. Octavo. 47 1 blankpp. Sewn at spine. Lacking plain wrappers. Faint foxing throughout else a nearly fine crisp copy.<br /> <br /> The author's first publication expressing his view on the origins and responsibilities of American Jewry being a transcript of the address delivered at the consecration of the new synagogue building of Shearith Israel the oldest Jewish congregation in America founded in 1745. His address received written responses from Thomas Jefferson John Adams and James Madison which were published in his 1819 book Travels in England France Spain and the Barbary States. A man with an astonishing and varied career Mordecai Manuel Noah 1785-1851 was an American sheriff playwright diplomat and journalist. He served as American consul in Tunis after 1813 where he was able in to assist in the rescue of a number of American sailors being held captive. Despite this success he was recalled in 1815 controversially under the claim by the Madison administration that his religion was an impediment to his duties. Among the most prominent American Jewish lay leaders of the early 19th century he is perhaps best known for his idealistic but ultimately failed attempt in 1825 to create a refuge community solely for Jewish Americans on land he purchased on New York's Grand Island in the Niagara River. Predating modern Zionism by many decades he styled this project "Ararat" after the mountain on which Noah's Ark came to rest in the biblical account. "After the failure of the Ararat experience Noah turned more strongly to the idea of Palestine as a national home for Jews" EJ 2nd ed. vol. 15 p. 291. From 1821-1823 he served as the 16th Sheriff of New York County the borough of Manhattan; the Surveyor of the Port from 1829-1833; and a judge of the Court of General Sessions in 1841. As a newspaper publisher and journalist Noah founded the New York Enquirer in 1826 and the Evening Star in 1834. In the realm of more imaginative literature he is considered the first major Jewish American playwright. Noah was featured as a character in the Ben Katchor graphic novel "The Jew of New York" 1999 and Gore Vidal's "Burr" 1973.<br /> <br /> Noah's cultural pride and surpremely optimistic view of his people's destiny is emphatically expressed in the present discourse: "Never were the prospects for the restoration of the Jewish nation to their ancient rights and dominion more brilliant than they are at present. There are upwards of seven millions of Jews known to be in existence throughout the world a number greater than at any period of our history and possessing more wealth activity influence and talents than any body of people of their number on earth. Let us then hope that the day is not far distant when from the operation of liberal and enlightened measures we may look towards that country where our people have established a mild just and honourable government accredited by the world and admired by all good men" p. 27. References: Enc. Jud. 12 cols. 1198-99; Shaw & Shoemaker no. 45110; Singerman 290. C. W. Van Winkle unknown
1831203280165366Black Young and Young 1831. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. THIS COMPLETE TWO VOLUME SET IS IN NEAR FINE CONDITION BEAUTIFULLY REBOUND IN FULL LEATHER WITH BLIND STAMPED RULE TO BOARDS SIX COMPARTMENTS AND FIVE RAISED BANDS TO SPINE WITH BRIGHT GILT DETAILS AND TITLE. BINDING AND HINGES ARE VERY GOOD NEW END PAPERS AND PASTE DOWNS NO LOOSE OR MISSING PAGES PAGES ARE BRIGHT AND CLEAN WITHOUT MARKS EXCEPT FOR PREVIOUS OWNER NAME TO TITLE PAGE LIGHT SPORADIC FOXING. BOOKS MEASURE 10.75"x9". FIRST UK EDITION 190 YEARS OLD. A SCARCE SET IN REMARKABLE CONDITION. Black, Young, and Young hardcover
1828846261828. WEBSTER Noah. An American Dictionary of the English Language. New York: Published by S. Converse 1828. 1st ed. 2 vols. 4tos. Unpaginated. Introductory material in 2 columns definitions in 3 columns. Engraved frontis. of the author in vol. 1. With the "additions and corrections" leaf in vol. 2. Contemporary full leather red and black morocco spine labels. Minor foxing to endpapers some wear and scratches to boards else a very good set housed in custom cloth slip cases. Grolier American 100 36. PMM 291. Sabin 102335. Webster 1758-1843 began work on an American dictionary in 1800 determined to celebrate the country's independence from the British in every sense including establishing distinctively American spellings of words like "color" and "center." "Webster was "an ardent nationalist and he wanted to stress the political separation from Britain by the cultivation of a separate American language" - PMM. His focus on usage set a new standard for accuracy of definition. The dictionary includes some 70000 words far beyond the previous record of 58000 and Webster wrote every word of the manuscript himself. "There were 2500 copies printed in boards uncut or full calf at $20 for the two volumes" - Grolier. unknown
1828143614New York: Published by S. Converse. Printed by Hezekiah Howe - New Haven 1828. First edition of pioneering lexicographer Noah Webster's monumental American Dictionary arguably the most popular American book ever published and one of only 2500 copies printed. Thick quarto bound in three quarter polished calf over marbled boards with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt engraved portrait of Webster after Samuel F.B. Morse unpaginated text in triple columns pages untrimmed and hence a copy once in boards the 44 preliminary leaves in Vol. I containing Webster's preface on the history of the dictionary his introductory dissertation "on the origin history and connection of the languages of western Asia and of Europe. With the additional leaf in Vol. II "Additions and Corrections" which is often lacking and without the "Advertisement" lead as issued. Copies in boards did not have the "Advertisement" leaf bound in as did many copies in calf. In the copies in boards the leaf was laid in to some but was never originally bound in. Only 2500 copies were printed. With some spotting to the text and dampstain entering the margin of the frontispiece. In very good condition. A sharp example. In 1807 Webster began compiling a fully comprehensive dictionary An American Dictionary of the English Language; it took twenty-eight years to complete. To evaluate the etymology of words Webster learned twenty-six languages including Old English Anglo-Saxon Greek Hebrew and Latin. Webster completed his dictionary during his year abroad in 1825 in Paris France and at the University of Cambridge. His book contained seventy thousand words of which twelve thousand had never appeared in a published dictionary before. As a spelling reformer Webster believed that English spelling rules were unnecessarily complex so his dictionary introduced American English spellings replacing colour with color substituting wagon for waggon and printing center instead of center. He also added American words like skunk and squash that did not appear in British dictionaries. At the age of seventy Webster published his dictionary in 1828 registering the copyright on April 14. Webster did all this in an effort to standardize the American language. “This dictionary which almost at once became and has remained the standard English dictionary in the United States was the end-product of a stream of spelling books grammars readers and dcitionaries which flowed from the pen of the industrious Noah Webster.Webster’s great dictionary all the 70000 entries of which he wrote with his own hand has been reprinted and brought up to date innumerable times.the book marked a definite advance in modern lexicography as it included many non-literary terms and paid great attention to the language actually spoken. Moreover his definitions of the meaning of words were accurate and concise.and have for the greater part stood the test of time superbly well†Printing and the Mind of Man. "As a whole Webster’s American Dictionary was a scholarly achievement of the first order richly deserving of its great reputation at home and abroad†DAB. With definitions for “some 70000 words—15000 more than any previous English lexicon… Although only 2500 copies of the first edition were printed the work established Webster as a lexicographer of international repute†Lathem 76 United Statesiana 9. Published by S. Converse. Printed by Hezekiah Howe - New Haven hardcover
1828375728New York: Published by S. Converse. Printed by Hezekiah Howe-New Haven 1828. First edition. Engraved frontispiece portrait. 962 ff. signed: A B-K including I and J1-113 in 4s 114 in 2; π2 first leaf is a blank 1-115 in 4s 116 in 2. 2 vols. Large thick 4to. Half-bound tan calf and marbled paper boards stamped in gilt on spines; front and rear boards rubbed at centers with light overall shelf wear to edges; exterior spines cracked along edges and split at top rear of vol. 1 and bottom front of vol. 2; tissue guard at frontispiece foxed with some transfer to facing pages; interiors otherwise clean. First edition. Engraved frontispiece portrait. 962 ff. signed: A B-K including I and J1-113 in 4s 114 in 2; π2 first leaf is a blank 1-115 in 4s 116 in 2. 2 vols. Large thick 4to. Webster's landmark achievement the most important American dictionary of prime importance as an early effort toward mass education eventually placing correct spelling and usage at the fingertips of the ordinary American citizen. This two-volume quarto unabridged dictionary represents the culmination of Webster's indefatigable dedication to providing his country with its first comprehensive modern dictionary. "Webster set a new standard for etymological investigation and for accuracy of definition 'a born definer of words' - Sir James Murray and included 70000 words as against the 58000 of any previous dictionary. The edition was 2500 copies and the price $20.00" Carpenter. "Webster was an ardent nationalist and he wanted to stress the political separation from England by the cultivation of a separate American language" PMM. Skeel 583; Grolier American 100 #36; PMM 291; Sabin 102335 Published by S. Converse. Printed by Hezekiah Howe-New Haven unknown
1828140938425New York: S. Converse Printed by Hezekiah Howe New Haven 1828. First Edition. Very Good. First edition first printing. Complete in two volumes. Contemporary mottled calf with black morocco spine labels lettered in gilt with the "Additions and Corrections" leaf bound at the end of Volume II; November 28 Advertisement absent as is nearly always the case. Engraved frontis provided in sympathetic facsimile lacking tissue guard. Internally Very Good with offsetting and several instances of penciled marginalia. Previous owner name in light pencil on title page. One of only 2500 copies. An extremely important early declaration of American cultural identity which heralded the nation's linguistic independence from Britain inspiring the many dictionaries that to this day carry Webster's name. S. Converse, Printed by Hezekiah Howe, New Haven unknown books
1828140938425New York: S. Converse Printed by Hezekiah Howe New Haven 1828. First Edition. Very Good. First edition first printing. Complete in two volumes. Contemporary mottled calf with black morocco spine labels lettered in gilt with the "Additions and Corrections" leaf bound at the end of Volume II; November 28 Advertisement absent as is nearly always the case. Engraved frontis provided in sympathetic facsimile lacking tissue guard. Internally Very Good with offsetting and several instances of penciled marginalia. Previous owner name in light pencil on title page. One of only 2500 copies. An extremely important early declaration of American cultural identity which heralded the nation's linguistic independence from Britain inspiring the many dictionaries that to this day carry Webster's name. S. Converse, Printed by Hezekiah Howe, New Haven unknown
1828102755New York: Published by S. Converse. Printed by Hezekiah Howe 1828. Rare first edition of Webster's monumental American Dictionary one of only 2500 copies with <span class="glossaryQtip qTip">frontispiece</span> portrait of the pioneering lexicographer in full contemporary calf. Quarto two volumes bound in full contemporary calf marbled endpapers illustrated frontispiece tissue guard present. In near fine condition light toning to the text. Most rare and desirable bound in contemporary calf. An exceptional example most rare without any restoration. In 1807 Webster began compiling a fully comprehensive dictionary An American Dictionary of the English Language; it took twenty-eight years to complete. To evaluate the etymology of words Webster learned twenty-six languages including Old English Anglo-Saxon Greek Hebrew and Latin. Webster completed his dictionary during his year abroad in 1825 in Paris France and at the University of Cambridge. His book contained seventy thousand words of which twelve thousand had never appeared in a published dictionary before. As a spelling reformer Webster believed that English spelling rules were unnecessarily complex so his dictionary introduced American English spellings replacing colour with color substituting wagon for waggon and printing center instead of center. He also added American words like skunk and squash that did not appear in British dictionaries. At the age of seventy Webster published his dictionary in 1828 registering the copyright on April 14. Webster did all this in an effort to standardize the American language. "This dictionary which almost at once became and has remained the standard English dictionary in the United States was the end-product of a stream of spelling books grammars readers and dcitionaries which flowed from the pen of the industrious Noah Webster.Webster's great dictionary all the 70000 entries of which he wrote with his own hand has been reprinted and brought up to date innumerable times.the book marked a definite advance in modern lexicography as it included many non-literary terms and paid great attention to the language actually spoken. Moreover his definitions of the meaning of words were accurate and concise.and have for the greater part stood the test of time superbly well" Printing and the Mind of Man. "As a whole Webster's American Dictionary was a scholarly achievement of the first order richly deserving of its great reputation at home and abroad" DAB. With definitions for "some 70000 words--15000 more than any previous English lexicon. Although only 2500 copies of the first edition were printed the work established Webster as a lexicographer of international repute" Lathem 76 United Statesiana 9. Published by S. Converse. Printed by Hezekiah Howe unknown books
