"Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new after all."
— Abraham Lincoln

London: Printed by W. Strahan, 1755. [Dictionary] FIRST EDITIONS. 2 volumes; Folio (42 x 27cm). Complete. Titles printed in black and red. Bound to style in full brown calf with red and green title labels, raised bands to spine, decorated in gilt and blind. Some expected spotting/toning from use; more-so to first and final leaves of each volume, expert paper conservation to title of vol.II, older repairs to final leaf of each volume, last gathering washed, inside paper joint cracked. Overall very good, in a functional and attractive modern leather binding (circa 1972; collated at that time and noted in pencil to flyleaf). Dr. Johnson performed with his dictionary the most amazing, enduring and endearing one-man feat in the field of lexicography; a cornerstone of the English language. Item #55247
Price: £7,500.00