An Universal Etymological English Dictionary. The Third Edition, with large Additions; [together with] The Universal Etymological English Dictionary, Vol. II, The Third Edition, with many Additions. Two volume 'set'.

BAILEY (NATHAN) [bap.1691, d.1742]

Published by J. Darby. A. Bettesworth [et al.]; Thomas Cox, London, 1726

About this Item

Two volume 'set'. An Universal Etymological English Dictionary, The Third Edition, with large Additions, London: Printed for J. Darby. A. Bettesworth, F. Fayram, J. Pemberton, J. Hooke, C. Rivington, F. Clay, J. Batley, and E. Symon, 1726; The Universal Etymological English Dictionary, Vol. II, The Third Edition, with many Additions, London: Thomas Cox, 1737. 8vo (7.9 x 5.1 inches, approx.). Unpaginated, printed in double columns. Textual vignettes."Bailey's first dictionary, An universal etymological English dictionary: comprehending the derivations of the generality of words in the English tongue, either ancient or modern (1721), was followed by what claimed to be a second volume in 1727, which included an 'orthographical dictionary, shewing both the orthography and orthoepia of the English tongue' (title-page). 'Volume II', as the 1727 volume is generally known, introduced accentuation markings for the first time in a general English dictionary - perhaps following the precedent of Thomas Dyche's Spelling Dictionary (1723) - to compensate for the presumed inexperience of the reader: 'forasmuch as many Persons of a small Share of Literature and not very conversant in Books, are frequently apt to accent Words wrong' (preface). The two octavos were soon succeeded by the folio Dictionarium Britannicum (1730; 2nd edn, 1736). Dozens of editions of the first octavo work were published during the eighteenth century and after; they formed the basis for a number of English-German dictionaries, which began to appear in Germany from 1736 onwards", (ODNB). §Sets, together since the day, are found with a variety of editions and publishers. The second volume here clearly supplements the first - as witnesssed by a non-scientific check of the contents (e.g. for entries under the letter 'z' there is no overlap between the contents of the two volumes), and in view of 'Vol. II' to the title-page of the 1737 volume it seems clear that Bailey intended that it should be treated as the second part of his dictionary. Armorial bookplate of Joseph Jones and binder's ticket of Shipp, Blandford, to front pastedown of both volumes. Handsomely rebound, c.1810, in full straight-grain red morocco, gilt lettering and elaborate blind decoration. Spines uniformly age-darkened. Minor rubbing (but no fraying or breaking of binding) to extremities. A very good set in a handsome binding. (**PLEASE READ CAREFULLY** - Heavy/overweight item weighing 2.2 kg packed, therefore additional postage will be required - please ask for a prior shipping quote).

Seller Inventory # 300413

Bibliographic Details

• Title: An Universal Etymological English Dictionary. The Third Edition, with large Additions; [together with] The Universal Etymological English Dictionary, Vol. II, The Third Edition, with many Additions. Two volume 'set'.
• Publisher: J. Darby. A. Bettesworth [et al.]; Thomas Cox, London
• Publication Date: 1726
• Language: English
• Binding: Full-Leather
• Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Reference
  • Antiquarian
  • Augustan