Encylopedie ou Dictionaire Raisonne des Sciences des Arts et des Metiers par une Societe des Gens de Lettres. ...Nouvelle Edition. 36 vols. text plus 3 vols. (in 4) plates. Total 40 vols. complete.

This is a rare or used book from the Berkelouw Rare Books Department.

Geneve: Chez Pellet 1777-1779. 4to. Orig. full mottled calf (extremities of bindings rubbed but sound). Spines gilt raised bands and contrasting morocco titling-labels. Complete with 4 vols. of engrv. plates many of which are folded. A good set in a rare contemporary binding. NOTE: One of the most splendid products of the Enlightenment and one of the great landmarks of Western intellectual history. "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 classic example of how not to arrange a work of reference" (PMM). "The greatest encyclopedia of science which has widespread effect in establishing uniformity of terminology concept and procedure in all fields of science and technology" (Grolier/Horblit). The majority of the 71 818 entries were written by the editors Diderot and D'Alembert followed by Baron d'Holbach who contributed about 400 articles. Among the other collaborators were Rousseau Voltaire Montesquieu Buffon Marmontel Concorcet Necker and Turgot.