Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1888-1928.

Twenty volumes, thick folio with 20th century paneled brown morocco gilt and raised bands, marbled endpapers and gilt edges. First edition.

Note: This copy of the Oxford English Dictionary was handsomely bound for John Jakob Raskob, the builder of the Empire State Building, who presented it to William Henry Todd. Conceived in 1858 by Herbert Coleridge, the OED is considered the greatest collection of any language in the world. Coleridge worked with fellow editor, Dr. F.J. Furnivall, to collect content for twenty years. It was not until 1878 that the new dictionary began to take form under the editorship of Dr. Murray. The dictionary contains 414, 825 words collected by 800 volunteers and follows the historical method of presentation, by which the meaning and form of the word is traced from its earliest appearance based on known quotations. The first edition was issued in parts and in book form, as here. This set does not include the 1933 supplement.

In very good condition. The boards with wear to the edges and corners.

Not withstanding this report or any discussion concerning condition of a lot, all lots are offered and sold "as is" in accordance with our conditions of sale.