FIRST EDITION 

An American Dictionary 

of the English Language 

Noah Webster

1828

[Americana] Webster, Noah. An American Dictionary of the English Language… New York: S. Converse, 1828. Complete in two volumes. Small Folio. 

First volume Illustrated with frontispiece portrait; with two blank leaves at front and rear. Three blank leaves at front and one blank leaf at rear in second volume. Original tree calf leather binding with red and black labels in gilt. A very handsome and large first edition in original boards of the quintessential American dictionary. 

This is Webster's first unabridged dictionary, he published shorter earlier versions and grammars. "Webster was an ardent nationalist and he wanted to stress the political separation from Britain by the cultivation of a separate American language." He wrote all 70,000 entries himself. 

"Moreover, his definitions of the meaning of words were accurate and concise (Sir James Murray, editor of the OED called him 'a born definer of words') and have stood the test of time superbly well. In fact, Webster succeeded in breaking the fetters imposed upon American English by Dr Johnson, to the ultimate benefit of the living languages of both countries" (PMM). Grolier American 36; PMM 291, Sabin 102335. 

First edition of the first unabridged American dictionary of the English language. A pleasing copy of a rare and important text.