London: Printed by W. Strahan, for J. and P. Knapton; T. and T. Longman, et al., 1755. In two volumes. First edition. Thick folio. Unpaginated. Title-pages printed in red and black; text printed in two columns. Contemporary full brown calf, rebacked, red and brown morocco spine labels, stamped in gilt, extremities and corners worn; spines dry and splitting; front and rear boards of each volume variously scratched and soiled; rear board on first volume detached; front and rear boards on second volume detached, with front blank and title-page attached to front board; all edges trimmed; light to moderate foxing to text leaves in each volume; most sheets in each volume toned; several leaves at front of second volume starting and with short closed tears; 15E-15G1 creased in second volume. Courtney & Smith, p. 54; Fleeman 55.4D/1a; PMM 201

First edition of Johnson's magnum opus, often considered one of the greatest works in the English language. "Dr. Johnson performed with his Dictionary the most amazing, enduring and endearing one-man feat in the field of lexicography...it took Johnson less than ten years from writing his first prospectus in 1746 to publication day, 14 June 1755...Johnson's Dictionary is divided into four parts: the preface, in which he expounds--largely in the steps of Ephraim Chambers--the aims and problems of lexicography; a history and a grammar of the English language...and finally the dictionary proper...Johnson introduced into English lexicography principles which had already been accepted in Europe but were quite novel in mid-eighteenth-century England. He codified the spelling of English words; he gave full and lucid definitions of their meanings (often entertainingly coloured by his High Church and Tory propensities); and he adduced extensive and apt illustrations from a wide range of authoritative writers." (John Carter, Printing and the Mind of Man, pp. 121)