DIDEROT, Denis (1713-1784) and Jean le Rond d`ALEMBERT (1717-1783), editors. - photo 1

DIDEROT, Denis (1713-1784) and Jean le Rond d`ALEMBERT (1717-1783), editors.

Lot 108
09.07.2025 10:30UTC +01:00
Classic
Sold
£ 27 720
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 1450553
Lot 108 | DIDEROT, Denis (1713-1784) and Jean le Rond d'ALEMBERT (1717-1783), editors.
Estimate value
£ 25 000 – 35 000
DIDEROT, Denis (1713-1784) and Jean le Rond d'ALEMBERT (1717-1783), editors.
Encyclopedie, ou dictionnaire raisonne des science, des arts et des metiers, par une societe de gens de lettres. [I-VII] Paris: Briasson, David l'an, Le Breton, Durand, 1751-1757; [VIII-XVII] Neuchtel: Samuel Faulche, 1765 - Recueil de planches, sur les sciences, les art libraux, et les arts mechaniques, avec leur explication. [I-XI] Paris: Briasson, David, Le Breton, Durand, 1762-1772. - Supplement l'Encyclopedie, ou Dictionnaire raisonne des sciences, des arts et des metiers, par une societe de gens de lettres. Edited by Jean Baptiste Ren Robinet (1735-1820). [I-IV] Amsterdam: M.M. Rey, 1776-1777. - Suite du recueil de planches, sur les sciences, les arts libraux, et les arts mechaniques, avec leur explication. Paris: Panckoucke, Stoupe, Brunet; Amsterdam: M.M. Rey, 1777. - Table analytique et raisonne des metieres contenues dans les XXXIII volumes in-folio du Dictionnaire des sciences, des arts, et des metiers, et dans son supplement. Edited by Pierre Mouchon (1733-1797). [I-II] Paris: Panckoucke; Amsterdam: Marc-Michel Rey, 1780.
First edition of one of the most splendid products of the Enlightenment, and one of the great landmarks of western intellectual history in a contemporary binding. 'A monument in the history of European thought; the acme of the age of reason; a prime motive force in undermining the Ancien regime and in heralding the French Revolution; a permanent source for all aspects of eighteenth-century civilisation – and a classical example of how not to arrange a work of reference' (PMM). 'The greatest encyclopaedia of science, which had widespread effect in establishing uniformity of terminology, concept, and procedure in all fields of science and technology' (Grolier/Horblitt). The greater part of the 71,818 articles in the complete work were written by Diderot and D'Alembert, followed by Baron d'Holbach, who contributed about 400 articles. Among the other collaborators were Rousseau, Voltaire, Montesquieu, Buffon, Marmontel, Condorcet, Necker, and Turgot. Grolier/Horblit 25b; John Lough, Essays on the Encyclopdie of Diderot and D'Alembert, London 1968; Richard N. Schwab, W.E. Rex, and J. Lough, Inventory of Diderot's Encyclopdie I (1971), VII (1984) [Studies on Voltaire and the Eighteenth Century 80, 223]; Norman 637; PMM 200.

35 volumes, folio (392 x 248mm). 2,796 engraved plates (2,581 in Planches, 215 in Suite de planches, many folding); 1 large folding engraved Tree of Knowledge plate in Table; several inserted folding typographical tables as noted by Schwab. A complete set: the numbers of plates given on the title-pages total 3,129 because double, triple, or quadruple folding plates are counted as 2, 3, or 4 (occasional dampstaining and browning, some minor marginal worming or tears). Near-uniform contemporary French mottled calf, spines in 7 compartments, gilt in five, red and black morocco lettering-pieces in two, red edges (one cover dampstained, some joints tender or slightly cracked, some skilful repairs, some spine labels renewed). Provenance: Christie’s, London, 20 October 1999, lot 51.
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