8/23/2023 0 Comments Webster encyclopedia![]() The first UK edition, reprinted by E H Barker from a copy communicated by the author and containing manuscript corrections and additions. An attractive first UK edition of this famous dictionary, in a uniform leather binding. Offered with a copy of the corresponding page from the 1828 edition of Webster's dictionary. Webster s dictionary is the cornerstone of the brand of English spoken in America today, and this manuscript offers fabulous insight into Webster s discerning editorial process as he compiled the foundational text. The bulk of Webster s manuscript over 450 leaves now resides in the Pierpont Morgan Library and rarely appear for sale, particularly as a complete page. Under the influence of his friend Benjamin Franklin, he gave many printed American words a distinctive appearance. Webster was an ardent nationalist who wanted to stress the political separation from Britain by cultivating a separate American language. Noah Webster's dictionary at once became, and has remained, the standard English dictionary in the United States. A choice selection of definitions ranging from "Bitter-sweet" to "Bivouac." Expected folds, minor losses affecting seven words in text expertly repaired with archival tissue, else fine condition. Autograph Manuscript (unsigned), 2 pages, 8" x 10", no date but circa 1824-1825, being a portion of a draft of An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828) with extensive edits and emendations throughout. These two decades of preparation involved Webster's becoming conversant in no fewer than 26 languages, including Sanskrit, and the fruits of his study can be seen not only in the main body of the dictionary, but also in the 80-page prefatory section in volume I, the most important part of which is the author's dissertation "On the Origin, History and Connection of the Languages of Western Asia and of Europe.". Webster published a small "Compendious Dictionary of the English Language" in 1806, an appetizer to his great work, which was in gestation for almost 20 years. Grammatical works followed, and on a visit to Philadelphia, he discussed with Ben Franklin the need for establishing an American standard spelling. The first literary fruit of his teaching career was a spelling book published in 1782. Trained as a lawyer, he decided to become a schoolteacher and journalist. Noah Webster (1758-1843) was born in West Hartford, Connecticut, and attended Yale University during the period of the Revolutionary War. to the ultimate benefit of the living languages of both countries." The book sold rather poorly at first, but its authority was gradually established, and its updated versions have remained a staple of American reference libraries ever since. In fact, Webster succeeded in breaking the fetters imposed upon American English by Dr. ![]() Moreover, definitions of the meaning of words were accurate and concise and have for the greater part stood the test of time superbly well. According to PMM, the dictionary "marked a definite advance in modern lexicography, as it included many non-literary terms and paid great attention to the language actually spoken. ![]() Published in a press run of 2,500 copies, our first edition contains more than 70,000 entries, compiled entirely by Webster himself. Its publication signified that America had come of age in the linguistic field and had developed its own legitimate variety of English speech. This is an unusually fine copy of perhaps the all-time greatest American bestseller, one of the most famous and best-loved books ever to originate in the United States. รข Penultimate leaf of volume II a bit dust-soiled, final "Additions" leaf a little browned and slightly frayed at tail of fore edge, other very trivial imperfections (intermittent faint foxing, occasional mild browning or small marginal stains, isolated corner creases or printer's smudges), but A FINE COPY of a book seldom found this way-the text clean and very fresh, and the sympathetic bindings unworn. PMM 291 Skeel 583 Grolier "American Books" 36 Sabin 102335. Engraved frontispiece portrait of the author by A. Convincing period-style modern sprinkled calf, flat spines divided into panels with gilt lozenge centerpiece by decorative gilt rolls, one brown and one green morocco label, marbled endpapers. ![]() Including the terminal leaf of "Additions" (not infrequently missing) in the second volume.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |