Diccionario Portuguez-Inglez (RARE 3rd Edition), 1906 📜

The Work: A People’s Dictionary 📖

This rare 1906 third edition of Diccionario Portuguez-Inglez is a fascinating artifact of early 20th-century publishing. Part of a popular and affordable series known as "The People's Dictionaries," this book was marketed as an "Instructional Advertisement for Portuguese and Brazilians." It was designed to be a portable, economical, and complete dictionary for a mass audience, including merchants, clerks, immigrants, and students. This volume is a testament to the democratization of knowledge, providing an essential tool for those navigating a globalizing world.

The Context: Bridging Old and New Worlds 🌎

This dictionary is a tangible link to a period of immense migration and commerce at the turn of the 20th century. Published in Lisbon by "A Editora," the book served as a crucial resource for facilitating communication and trade between the Portuguese-speaking world (Portugal and Brazil) and the English-speaking world. Its specific marketing to both "Portuguese and Brazilians" highlights its role in bridging communication between the old and new worlds, particularly during a period of mass migration from Portugal to Brazil.

Why This Book Is Valuable

For the discerning collector, this dictionary is a unique and significant acquisition for several reasons. As a utilitarian book intended for a mass audience, this book was heavily used and had a low survival rate. Finding a well-preserved copy is a genuine rarity on the market. This book is a unique window into the social history of the early 20th century. It provides a firsthand look into the linguistic and commercial needs of a mobile and global society. The book is also a monument to the publishing trends of its time, which focused on producing accessible and affordable reference materials for the public. Its prior owner inscription and heavy wear provide a personal touch and authenticates its long life as a treasured possession.

Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓

This volume is a fascinating example of a "crossover" collectible that appeals to collectors of rare books, social history, and linguistics. The book is a marvel of compression, a compact volume that was a crucial tool for a mobile society of traveling salesmen, clerks, and students. Its publication in Lisbon and its target audience of both Portuguese and Brazilians make it a unique artifact of migration and global commerce.

Condition & Physical Characteristics ✨

This copy is a genuine and handsome survivor, showing the authentic wear of a cherished book from the early 20th century. The binding is expected to be full leather, and it shows significant wear consistent with its age, including heavy rubbing and scuffing, with a missing portion of the front cover page. The pages have some expected foxing and discoloration, but the text remains clear and readable.

Supporting Information / Collation

• Title: Diccionario Portuguez-Inglez (Os Diccionarios do Povo, No. 5)

• Author/Editor: A Editora

• Place: Lisbon

• Year: 1906

• Edition: 3rd Edition

• Format: Hardcover, Full Leather