- 106
Oxford English Dictionary--Murray, Sir James A.H.
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles; founded mainly on the materials collected by the Philological Society. Edited by James A.H. Murray...with the assistance of many scholars and men of science. Oxford: the Clarendon Press, 1888--1933
- paper
large 4to, 10 volumes in 13, plus the supplement, together 14 volumes, contemporary dark green half morocco, green pebble-grain cloth boards, marbled endpapers and edges, some wear to cloth and leather on bindings with some corners slightly bumped or worn, occasional scratches, some spines variably sunned (14)
Literature
PMM 371
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
THE FIRST EDITION OF THE GREATEST DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, long accepted as one of the greatest feats of scholarship and publishing of its period. The need for a new English dictionary that would examine how the language had developed over the centuries was identified by the Philological Society of London in 1857. However, it was not until 1879 that agreement was reached with Oxford University Press for the production of a dictionary that would contain all English vocabulary from the Early Middle English period. It was to be edited by the indefatigable James Murray, and it was thought that this would take 10 years and that the results would encompass four volumes. These proved to be huge underestimates; the first fascicule appeared in 1884, taking the project only as far as "Ant", and it was nearly half a century before the Dictionary was complete. The New English Dictionary, as it was initially known, encompassed 400,000 words and revolutionised our understanding of English and its history.