Merriam Webster Dictionary Appraisal

Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (G. & C. Merriam Edition)

This item is an antique volume of Webster's Dictionary, specifically the 'Entire Work, Unabridged' published by G. & C. Merriam of Springfield, Mass. The page displayed is a testimonial and marketing page, noting the price was 'Reduced to Six Dollars' and edited by Professor Chauncey A. Goodrich of Yale College. Physically, the book appears to be a Crown Quarto size, containing approximately 1452 pages. The paper shows heavy signs of age, including significant foxing (brown spotting), staining, and yellowing throughout. The binding appears worn with visible fraying and loss of material along the spine edge and corners. Notable features include printed facsimile signatures of prominent historical figures such as Daniel Webster, Lewis Cass, Thomas H. Benton, and Millard Fillmore, used as testimonials for the work. This edition likely dates from the mid-19th century, roughly between 1847 and 1860, given the historical context of the publishers and signatories. The overall condition is fair to poor, with evident moisture damage, creasing, and structural instability in the hinge of the page.