1844 A New Dictionary of the English Language

Description

Early Edition, Leather Binding

Scarce Second Edition. 

Two volumes in one, bound in a later half-calf binding with marbled boards. 

This is a nicely bound copy of Charles Richardson's 'New Dictionary of the English Language', first published from 1836 to 1837. This reference work was the first general dictionary which offered readers a 'full conspectus' of historical evidence, paving the way for the popular Oxford English Dictionary. 

Interestingly, Richardson believed in etymological meaning, but with little or no historical basis. He would use many quotations in place of definitions and nodded to different aspects of English cultures and traditions. 

Contents of this work include the prefaces to Parts I and II, supplementary notes, as well as an errata page and 'additions and corrections' to the rear of text.

Charles Richardson (1775-1865) was an English teacher, lexicographer, and linguist. 

Undated due to lack of title page, dated using an identical copy with the same pagination from the Hathi Digital Trust Library.  This particular edition's text is also displayed in double columns, unlike the triple columns of the earlier editions. 

Collated, bound without a title page.