Rare book: An American Dictionary of the English Language, Vols. I and II, by Noah Webster. First edition. NY: S. Converse, 1828. Hardcovers rebound in three-quarter chocolate calf with marbled boards, uncut edges, 10.25 x 12.5, containing some 70,000 entries: the first volume covers A–I, and the second volume covers J–Z. The title page describes Webster's intent to exhibit: "The origin, affinities and primary signification of English words, as far as they have been ascertained. II. The genuine orthography and pronunciation of words, according to general usage, or to just principles of analogy. III. Accurate and discriminating definitions, with numerous authorities and illustrations. 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 of the English language." Loosely laid in is Webster's ink signature, "You obed. servant, N. Webster," on an off-white 5 x 1 slip.
Book condition: G+/None, with some marginal losses and staining to Webster's frontispiece portrait in Vol. I, corner creasing to some of the pages, restored losses to endpapers preceding the text of Vol. II, inexpert tape repairs and staining to the title page of Vol. II, tape repairs to the last two pages of Vol. II, and some minor soiling to the textblocks. Each volume is housed in a brown cloth slipcase.
Noah Webster’s An American Dictionary of the English Language was published in April 1828 after more than two decades of work to create the first comprehensive dictionary tailored to the United States. At age 70, Webster completed this two-volume lexicon of about 70,000 entries—roughly 12,000 more than earlier dictionaries—in part by drawing on extensive language study and adding many technical terms and Americanisms that had not appeared before, as well as advocating spellings (like 'color,' 'center,' 'honor') that became hallmarks of American English. Though only about 2,500 copies were printed and sales were initially slow, the work marked a major advance in modern lexicography and helped establish a distinct American linguistic identity.
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