Cyclopaedia: or, an universal dictionary of arts and sciences; containing an explication of the terms, and an account of the things signified thereby, in the several arts, both liberal and mechanical; and the several sciences, human and divine ... The fifth edition by Chambers, E[phraim] - 1741

London: printed for D. Midwinter, W. Innys, C. Rivington [et al.]; volume II: printed for D. Midwinter, M. Senex, W. Innys, A. Ward [et al], 1741. 2 volumes, folio; pp. [4], xxv, [1], plus unpaginated lexicon in double column; [2], plus unpaginated lexicon; collated complete; title pages printed in red and black; folding engraved frontispiece, 21 engraved plates (8 folding, including the double-page Caslon type specimen); old calf boards reinforced at joints and edges, old maroon labels on spines; occasional stains and other minor flaws; some moderate worming on the last several leaves of volume I, and light marginal worming in the first part of volume II; externally a fair copy, but complete, sound. and internally relatively clean. Alston III, 541; citing Walsh (535): "Although the Cyclopaedia is now but a landmark in the history of encyclopedia publishing, its impact and influence upon later generations was incalculable. It directly influenced the famous French Encyclopedie of Diderot, and the New Encyclopaedia compiled by Abraham Rees and published between 1802 and 1820." Circle of Knowledge 16: "Ephraim Chambers, a map-maker by training, may be termed the father of the modern encyclopedia. He included not only many articles on the useful sciences, but also attempted wide coverage of the humanities, and he devised an extensive system of cross-references to minimize the need for repetition. Chambers' work had great influence upon the French Encyclopedie as well as the Britannica." Printing & the Mind of Man 171: "A good French scholar, he adapted Moreri and Bayle to the common-sense climate of the English Enlightenment. Moreover, he introduced a novel device that has proved indispensable to every subsequent lexicographer and encyclopedist, namely, cross-references ... Thanks to his editorial accomplishments the Cyclopaedia was revised, translated, and imitated throughout the 18th century. [Diderot's] Encyclopedie was originally planned as a translation of it." "Johnson said he formed his literary style on Chambers's Preface" (DeMaria), and it was always his intention to revise the Cyclopaedia himself. The fourth edition was the one used by Johnson in the compilation of his own Dictionary (see his sale catalogue, item no. 487). Starnes & Noyes (The English Dictionary from Cawdrey to Johnson) show that Bailey, Dyche & Pardon, and other English lexicographers borrowed extensively from Chambers as well.