Abel Boyer — The Royal Dictionary

London, R. Clavel, H. Mortlock, S. Lowndes; et al, 1699. First edition. Leather. A scarce first edition dictionary by Abel Boyer, an instructive French-English dictionary published for the use of the Duke of Gloucester. The scarce first edition.ESTC citation number R27810.Illustrated with a frontispieceRegister runs as [3], [a4], A-Xx4, Yy-Zz2, Aa-Nnn4, A-4M4, 4N2, 4O-4P1, 4Q2, 4R-4S1, 4T2, 4X-4Z1, *A-*n4.The four leaves of Pp of the first part are repeated.Collated, complete.A conclusive French - English dictionary by Abel Boyer, a brilliant and extensive contribution to the study of language. 'The Royal Dictionary' was reprinted in many editions, including in abridged editions, and formed the basis of many subsequent French-English dictionaries published after.Boyer ostensibly composed this work for the use of the Duke of Gloucester, Prince William, the son of Queen Anne. William died in 1700 at the age of 11. Boyer was the Duke's French tutor, though he was no longer his tutor when this work was published. In a full calf binding. Externally, front board is detached but present, rear board is held by five cords and may detach with further handling. A little loss of leather to the rear joint, where the leather is lifting a little, and a small amount of loss of leather to the extremities and head and tail of the spine. Surface cracks to the spine. Light rubbing and minor marks to the boards. Lacking the front endpaper. Small chip to the rear free endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are age-toned and generally clean with some spots, spotting a little heavier to some gatherings. Frontispiece is edge worn with chips and folds, a tide mark to the head, and ink and a stamp to the reverse. Tidemark to the head of the first few pages. Fair . Ill.: Not Stated. Fair .