A dictionary of the first, or oldest words in the English language: from the semi-Saxon period of A.D. 1250 to 1300. Containing an alphabetical inventory of every word found in the printed English literature of the 13th century

London: John Camden Hotten, Piccadilly, 1863. First Edition thus. Near Fine+. First Edition (under this title) of this "foundation stone" of The New English Dictionary. Slim demy 8vo (219 x 139mm); vii,[1],102,[2]pp. Contemporary green quarter roan over marbled paper-covered boards, recent red leather lettering piece gilt, top edge gilt, matching marbled end papers. Tightly bound and generally clean throughout (occasional spotting, few pencil marginalia), a collectible copy of this scarce title. First published as A Glossarial Index to the Printed English Literature of the Thirteenth Century. In 1857, when Coleridge was elected to the Philological Society, the society was engaged on a proposal for remedying deficiencies in the two standard dictionaries (Samuel Johnson's two-volume A Dictionary of the English Language, published in 1755, and Charles Richardson's New Dictionary of the English Language, published in 1836-1837). That proposal soon developed into a scheme for a complete new English dictionary. Coleridge was appointed secretary of a special committee formed "for the purpose of collecting words and idioms hitherto unregistered." "His new duties, practically constituting a new general editorship of the work, involved a large correspondence with the numerous volunteer helpers. The results of his researches are embodied in his Glossarial Index, which he describes as 'the foundation stone of the proposed English dictionary." (DNB) The New English Dictionary was ultimately published by the Clarendon Press. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).