A glossarial index to the printed English literature of the thirteenth century

London: Trübner & Co, 1859. First edition, slim 8vo, pp. viii, 102, [2]; bound with: Proposals for the Publication of a New English Dictionary [drop title], pp. 31, [1]; bound with: A Catalogue of Books on Philology, American Antiquities, Indians, and Languages published during the last forty years in the United States of America, pp. 26; bound with: Bibliographical Publications of Messrs. Trübner & Co. important to Librarians, Collectors of Books, & Booksellers, pp. 16; The Proposals was also issued separately in wrappers. Herbert Coleridge (1830-1861) was elected to the Philological Society in 1857, when the society "was engaged on a proposal for remedying the acknowledged deficiencies of the two standard dictionaries of Johnson and Richardson. . . which soon developed into a scheme for a complete new English dictionary. Into this project, Coleridge threw himself with characteristic enthusiasm, and was appointed Hon. Secretary of a special committee formed for the purpose of collecting words and idioms hitherto unregistered, a post for which he was well fitted by his learning and literary faculty, no less than by his methodical habits. 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. This scheme developed into The New English Dictionary published by the Clarendon Press" (see DNB IV, 756) now familiarly known as the O.E.D. The Proposals was accepted by the Philological Society in January of 1858 and while it is undated, was almost certainly printed that year. In it are discussed theories about dictionaries, scope, methods for collecting words, etymological research, mechanical and practical regulations, lists of early books to be used, etc. The two Trübner catalogues contain many tangential books of interest. Contemporary if not original brown cloth by Westleys & Co., London (binder's ticket on rear pastedown); joints cracked, spine ends chipped, the top especially so, but not touching the gilt lettering on the spine.