![[Item #61673] The Century Dictionary: An Encyclopedic Lexicon of the English Language. William Dwight WHITNEY.](https://lornebair.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/61673.jpg?auto=webp&v=1682379130)
The Century Dictionary: An Encyclopedic Lexicon of the English Language
New York: The Century Company, [1889-1891]. First Edition. Folio (33cm). Six volumes in half red leather and red cloth, gilt spine titles, all edges marbled; renewed brown endpapers; unpaginated; occasional in-text wood engravings. With a copy of an 1893 ad for the dictionary removed from an 1893 publisher's catalog. Bookplate of James G. Mead. Externally rubbed and spine-sunned, endleaves neatly renewed, overall sound and internally clean: Very Good.
First edition of this "American work modeled after the OED," including "much encyclopedic material even in its A-Z section, many thousands of illustrative quotations, and numerous fine pictorial illustrations. Beautifully printed and bound, it is surely one of the handsomest dictionaries ever made." It was based on Charles Annandale's enlargment of the Imperial Dictionary and became successful despite competition, but "was unfortunately never revised." (Landau, Dictionaries: The Art & Craft of Lexicography, p.72). The first edition of 1889-91 was published in six volumes; later editions from 1895 on were published in 10 volumes plus supplements. VANCIL Catalog of Dictionaries p.48.
Please note: this is a large, heavy set. International orders may incur additional shipping charges. #61673.
Price: $500.00
