Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary Fifth Edition Thin Paper [Hardcover] Merriam-Webster and Frontis, b/w Illustrations in Text

Description

1947 edition. Leather hardcover has a darker color brown than pictured but otherwise the same. Cover has significant wear, scuffs, small marks and stains, and bending. Spine has significant reading creases and wear. Pages have some marks and binding is loose.

This well-worn copy of Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary Fifth Edition Thin Paper bears the patina of a lifetime of use. Published in 1947, just two years after the end of World War II, this dictionary would have been an essential reference for a generation rebuilding their lives and seeking to expand their knowledge. The thin paper edition was a practical choice for students, writers, and intellectuals who needed a portable yet comprehensive word resource.

Despite its weathered exterior, this dictionary’s value lies in its historical significance. As one of the earliest mainstream collegiate dictionaries, it captures the linguistic landscape of mid-20th century America. The well-creased spine and loosened binding speak to the countless hours spent poring over its pages, seeking definitions, clarifying meanings, and enriching vocabularies. This copy is a testament to the enduring quest for knowledge and the pivotal role dictionaries have played in shaping language and understanding.