Dictionnaire historique et critique … troisieme edition, revue corrigée, et augmentée , par l'auteur…
Rotterdam: Michel Bohm, 1720. 4 volumes, folio, text largely in double column, woodcut ornaments and initials; engraved vignette title pages printed in red and black in each volume by W. De Gouwen after A. Vander Werf; 2 leaves of dedication printed in red and black (not in all copies) with a fine, large engraved head-piece by Bernard Picart; and including both the cancel and the cancelland pp. 963-968 and 963*-968* in vol. 2 (both not in all copies); full contemporary calf, red and black morocco labels on gilt-decorated spines, sprinkled edges; large engraved Camden family bookplate in each volume; front joint cracked on volume 1 and this spine slightly lifting, edge of one board nibbled, plus a few minor chips, bumps, and cracks, but not a bad set at all, completely unrestored. The best edition, including prefaces to both the first and second editions. Ebert 1791, calling this "The finest edition … on large paper, scarce, and greatly sought after … called the Edition de régent." Also the best edition textually, containing Bayle's final text, and the whole edited by Prosper Marchand. Lowndes I, 133, citing Johnson: "Bayle's Dictionary is a very useful work for those to consult who love the biographical part of literature, which is what I love most." Rothschild, III 2502; Printing and the Mind of Man, 155b. Item #24861
Price: $2,750.00
