Grose's classical dictionary of the vulgar tongue. Revised and corrected, with the addition of numerous slang phrases…by Pierce Egan.
London: printed for the editor, 1823. First Egan edition, 8vo, woodcut portrait frontis of Grose, pp. [iii]-xl and unpaginated lexicon collating B-R3 in 8s; contemporary quarter red straight-grain morocco over marbled boards, gilt lettered direct on smooth gilt-paneled spine; a very good copy of an important and entertaining edition. Includes Prefaces to the first and second editions, and facsimile title-pp. to earlier works in the genre that Grose consulted. The first edition was published in 1785. "Grose generally had a companion with him, and one of his favorites was his man, Batch, who appears to have been more of a friend than a servant. Batch and his master used frequently to start out at midnight from the King's Arms in Holborn search of adventures. The back slums of St. Giles were explored again and again, the Captain and his man mingling affably and good-naturedly with the beggars, cadgers and thieves, who at that time infested the 'Holy Land' - which is what the St. Giles district was called" (Aubrey Noakes). Item #34021
Price: $650.00
