2 volumes, large 4to (279 x 222 mm). (Light marginal toning to title-pages, spotting to endpapers.) Contemporary dark calf, spine in 6 compartments with 5 raised bands, red and black straight-grain morocco lettering-pieces gilt, speckled edges (light rubbing to extremes). Provenance: J.D. Wickham (early ownership signature dated 1849 on front free endpaper); Cutler Palmer (early ownership signature on front free endpaper).

FIRST EDITION of Noah Webster's highly important American dictionary of the English language, considered "the most ambitious publication ever undertaken, up to that time, upon American soil." (DAB). Guided by a nationalistic desire to codify a distinctly American language, Webster began publishing spelling books, grammars, and readers for children in the 1780s. His work in lexicography began in 1800, and this unabridged dictionary was preceded by a much shorter duodecimo version in 1806, Compendious Dictionary of the English Language. With the publication of this set, "Webster set a new standard for etymological investigation, and for accuracy of definition, and included 70,000 words, as against the 58,000 of any previous dictionary" (Grolier). Grolier American 36; Skeel 583; Sabin 102335; PMM 291. A SUPERB COPY, IN A CONTEMPORARY BINDING.