Dictionary of Americanisms

Hard cover. Three quarter leather bound with marbled paper covered boards. Two leather spine labels, gilt lettering to the spine. Octavo. [xxvii] 412pp. Two owner signatures to the title page including that of R. W. Steele. A contemporary newspaper article tipped in. Shelf wear to covers and edges. Sound binding.

A First Edition of the groundbreaking work by John Russell Bartlett that cataloged unique American slang, colloquialisms, and regionalisms, providing definitions, etymologies, and usage examples from across the country. It was the first comprehensive dictionary of its kind, capturing the evolving language of a new nation and serving as a cultural snapshot of 19th century American life, with entries from Native American, Spanish, and various regional dialects.

Robert Williamson Steele, the elected Governor of the Territory of Jefferson, opened the first session of the Jefferson Territorial Legislature in Denver City in November 1859. This was prior to the Act of Congress organizing the free Territory of Colorado signed by outgoing President Buchanon in 1861.