Educator, author, and lexicographer Noah Webster (1758–1843) published his first book, originally titled The First Part of the Grammatical Institute of the English Language, in 1783. (Two companion books, a grammar and a reader, followed in close succession.) Better known as the “Blue-Backed Speller,” the book revolutionized the teaching of American English, and its nationwide adoption in schools throughout the 19th century made it one of the best-selling volumes of all time. Webster published the first American dictionary, A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language, in 1806. Dissatisfied with the necessarily incomplete result, he soon undertook one of the most ambitious projects in the history of American letters: An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828), a work that forever changed the course of the spoken and written word in America. Nearly three decades in the making, Webster’s magnum opus (for which he learned 26 languages, the better to understand the etymology of the words he defined), boasted some 70,000 entries; many felt that the result even surpassed the legendary dictionary of Englishman Samuel Johnson, which until that point had been regarded as the undisputed gold standard for such works. The penetration of Webster’s dictionary into the fabric of American language was such that, nearly two centuries later, his name remains synonymous with “dictionary” itself. We are proud to offer a superb and highly significant relic: An unsigned double-sided entry from Webster’s original dictionary, written entirely in his hand, comprising approximately 90 words on both sides of an 8 x 2 off-white slip. Adding to the appeal of this item are the uniquely “colorful” connotations of the main entry, “black.” Webster provides five distinct senses of the word, providing literary citations for three: Black. a[dj.] Of the color of night; destitute of light; dark. 2. Darkened by clouds; as the heavens black with clouds. 3. Sullen; having a cloudy look or countenance. Shake[speare]. 4. Atrociously wicked; horrible; as, a black deed or crime. Dryden. 5. Dismal; mournful; calamitous. Shake[speare]. The reverse bears three additional entries: “Blackbrowed,” “Black bryony” [a plant], and “black cap” [another plant; close trimming to bottom edge]. The entry is accompanied by authentication that must be regarded as unimpeachable: an ALS from Webster’s daughter, Elira Webster Jones, one page, 5.25 x 8, October 3, 1873. In full: “The signature of my honored father I can no longer give away, but I have a few pages of manuscript—found in the attic of my home soon after his death. The were the earliest attempts at ‘dictionary making’—I value every scratch of his pen, & wish I had saved more of these pages.” The dictionary entry is in fine condition, with a bisecting vertical fold, faint show-through from text on reverse, and a small ink mark and glue remnant affecting nothing. The letter bears a small marginal glue stain, a few wrinkles and small tears, and two marginal chips at top edge, well away from writing. Original manuscript entries from Webster’s dictionary are of the greatest scarcity; the supporting letter of authentication from his daughter may well be unique. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a relic from one of the truly epochal accomplishments in the history of the English language! R&R COA.
