Title websters dictionary first (1 resultados)

A unique promotional flyer for the first posthumous edition of Noah Webster's famous dictionary, accompanied by a letter from the publishers to Dr. Eliphalet Nott, president of Union College. Webster's American Dictionary, first printed in 1828, was something of a commercial failure. While the second edition of 1840 was much more successful, Webster didn't have long to enjoy the fruits of his labors; shortly after his death in 1843, publishers George and Charles Merriam purchased the rights, and the first Merriam-Webster Dictionary was issued in late 1847. This document, mailed to notable politicians and scholars early the next year, is proof of the publishers' promotional efforts, providing a detailed description of the new edition along with a convenient integral blank for a personalized message. The text celebrates the efforts of the dictionary's departed author. Charles A. Goodrich, the editor of the new edition, extols the virtues of Webster's etymologies, definitions, vocabulary, and pronunciation guides within, while admitting that "In Orthography, the changes proposed by Dr. Webster which have not been sanctioned by general adoption, and which seem to be too violent departures from the general spelling, have been judiciously omitted." He closes by declaring, "It is with pleasure that we greet this new and valuable contribution to American literature. We recommend it to all who desire to possess the most complete, accurate and reliable Dictionary of the Language." The integral blank contains a letter from George and Charles Merriam to the president of Union College, Eliphalet Nott, providing the school with a free copy and inquiring if, perhaps, he could be moved provide his endorsement to the attached text. The letter reads in full: "Sir, We have requested our friends, Merriam, Moore & Co. of Troy to send you a copy of our new edition of Webster's Dictionary, which please accept for your college library. "The ammended recommendation was drawn up with great care by a college professor, who has no pecuniary interest in the work + who is a gentleman of candor + good judgment, + gratified to form a correct opinion as to what literary men will [be] willing to sign. We therefore calculate with considerable confidence that we shall continue to find, what we have thus far found, that literary gentlemen take pleasure in giving the in influence of their names in aiding the circulation of this great American work. "Should you + the gentlemen associated with you as Professors in the college concur in judgment with others who are signing this recommendation, it would give us much pleasure to have you return the annexed with your signatures attached. "We feel that we need make no apology for presenting such a request in behalf of such a book. Very respectfully, G + C Merriam." This then is not the advertisement itself, but a preliminary lettersheet, sent to solicit endorsements for a mass circular. A promotional pamphlet was indeed printed later in the year, including the present document's text word-for-word just prior to the "Testimonials." The first name subscribed is appropriately Daniel Webster, though Dr. Nott's name remains conspicuously absent. This preliminary version appears entirely unrecorded, though Yale and Amherst hold archives of correspondence from the G. & C. Merriam Company covering this period. Pinprick holes where mailing folds meat, small hole in second leaf caused by opening seal, costing a few letters. Adhesive residue on address panel, apparently formerly mounted. Still very good.…