A Law-Dictionary and Glossary, interpreting such Difficult and Obscure Words and Terms, as are found either in Our Common or Statute, Ancient or Modern, Laws. With references to the several statutes, records, registers, law-books, charters, ancient deeds and manuscripts, wherein the words and terms are used ... The third edition, to which are added above two thousand two hundred words ... Likewise an explanation of all the ancient names of the inhabitants, cities, towns, villages and rivers of Great Britain ... by W. Nelson ...
'In the Savoy' [London], printed for D. Browne, J. Walthoe (and numerous others), 1717 (third edition, first issue)/ 1670.
Folio, [329] pages, text set in two columns within printed borders.
Early full calf with a plain double-fillet border and single decorative roll in blind; title-label lacking from spine; covers a little marked and rubbed, with a some slight wear to the corners; marginal worming to the bottom margin of the last six leaves; an excellent copy with an early armorial bookplate (Edmondstoune of Newton).
Blount's Law Dictionary was first published in 1670 under the title 'Nomo-Lexicon'. '[This] work quickly superseded its predecessors. In addition to providing the explanation of common law terms, Blount was the first lexicographer of a purely English dictionary to attempt an etymology of words (Starnes & Noyes, p. 46); he devoted many pages to etymology and described the origins of ancient law customs. Blount was also the first English lexicographer who consistently cited references to authorities consulted, statutes, and treatises (Cowley, lxxxix). The work was reissued in larger and revised editions throughout the eighteenth century. By 1717, editor William Nelson of the Middle Temple added more than 3000 words to the original text ...' (World Encyclopedia of Law). The second issue of this edition has a cancel title leaf, also dated 1717, containing a different list of booksellers in the imprint, and the number of words contributed by Nelson revised up to 'near three thousand'.
Item #61242
Price (AUD):
$900.00