London: John Murray, 1847. First edition. 8vo., vii, 492 pp., with 16 pp. of advertisements dated July, 1846. Publisher's cloth decorated in blind and titled in gilt on the spine. Tips slightly curled and rubbed; a clean tear at the rear joint and at the spine crown have been expertly repaired and are barely noticeable. Original owner's neat signature on the front pastedown. Item #53117

Polymath, William Henry Fox Talbot, inventor of the negative/positive photographic process, the photogravure printing process, which afforded reproduction of images from life to ink on paper, translator of Assyrian cuneiforms, and etymologist of the English language, here states, "in giving the opinion of previous inquirers, I have frequently quoted Johnson, and also Thompson's Etymons of English Words. But it is evident that Johnson had no taste for etymology, so that the assistance to be derived from him is usually rather meagre."

Limited to 500 copies.

Price: $1,500.00