The Living Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language Value Guide

The Living Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language represents a mid-20th-century evolution of Noah Webster's 1806 linguistic legacy. Published by the English-Language Institute of America, this specific edition is collectible for its massive encyclopedic scope and its snapshot of American English during the 1970s.

What Is The Living Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language Worth?

The typical price range for The Living Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language is $10 - $15 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Physical condition of the cardboard binding and spine, as these large volumes are prone to shelf wear.
• Presence of original dust jackets or decorative embossing which can slightly increase appeal to bibliophiles.
• Completeness of the internal pages, ensuring no encyclopedic charts or illustrations have been removed.
• Market demand for vintage 1970s reference sets, typically keeping the value in the $10 to $15 range.

How to Identify The Living Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language?

• Check the title page for the 'English-Language Institute of America' as the primary publisher.
• Verify the publication date falls within the 1972 to 1980 range to ensure it is this specific iteration.
• Look for the distinctive multi-section layout that combines standard definitions with broader encyclopedic entries.
• Confirm the materials consist of standard period-appropriate paper, cardboard binding, and black ink printing.

History of The Living Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language

Noah Webster began his monumental work on the American English dictionary in 1807. He published his first dictionary, 'A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language,' in 1806. The 'Living Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary' is a later iteration, published by the English-Language Institute of America, building upon Webster's legacy of documenting and defining the English language with an encyclopedic scope.