American Dictionary of the English Language
Item #84626
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 70,000 words, far beyond the previous record of 58,000, and Webster wrote every word of the manuscript himself. "There were 2,500 copies printed, in boards uncut or full calf, at $20 for the two volumes" - Grolier.
Price: $15,000.00