Original edition of the most beautiful illustrated French book on the manners, ceremonies, and civil and religious customs of the 18th century.
Illustrated with 266 engravings by Bernard Picart,
it is bound in red morocco by Chilliat, born in 1784, binder to Empress Marie-Louise.
Amsterdam, 1723-1743.
Bernard, Jean-Frédéric. Bruzen De La Martiniere Antoine-Augustin. Ceremonies and Religious Customs of All the Peoples of the World Represented by Figures Drawn by the Hand of Bernard Picard: with a historical explanation, & some curious dissertations.
8 vols in 9 volumes. [12]-xlii[8]-153-206-[2], [4]-197-[1]-104, [4]-211-[1] (with pp. clxv-clxiii)-49-[3]-150-[2] (pagination jump without missing in the 2nd part), [4]-386-38-84-[1], 396, [4]-13-348-[2], [4]-291-[1]-32-160, [16]-288, [8]-120-[1-1 bl.-4]-164 (=184) pp.
– Lebrun Pierre. Thiers, Jean-Baptiste. Ancient and Modern Superstitions Popular Prejudices That Led Peoples to Practices Contrary to Religion. With figures that represent these practices.
2 volumes. [4]-xviii-[2]-268-72,[8]-133-[1 bl.]-326-[16] pp. (torn half title without missing part, restored).
Amsterdam, J. F. Bernard, 1723-1743, n 1733-1736.
11 volumes in folio (some browning). Full long-grain red morocco, frames of gilt fillets and foliar roulettes on the boards, spine with 5 raised bands, beautifully decorated compartments with large gilt florets, gilt edges, headcaps, and cuts. Rich morocco binding signed « Chilliat », born in 1784.
430 x 273 mm.
Original edition of the most important, complete, and richly illustrated French book of the 18th century on the manners, customs, and civil and religious ceremonies observed among different nations at that time.
Conlon 23:35 (= BN, BL, NUC); Cohen 134; Brunet I-1742; Sabin 4931; STCN.
« Work which owes almost all the success it obtained to the 266 beautiful engravings with which it is adorned. It is a work extracted from the writings of R. Simon, J. Abbadie, Dupin, Thiers, P. Le Brun, Boulainvilliers, Reland, etc., on the same subject. The writing is due to J. -Fréd. Bernard, bookseller-editor, to Minister Bernard, to Bruzen de la Martinière, and others.
The first volumes were reprinted in 1735 and 1739, with some additions in the text; but the first edition is the one preferred because it contains the first proofs. »
The two supplementary volumes (especially on large paper) and the two on superstitions are very difficult to find. » Cohen.
The editor presents his enterprise as follows:
« The bookseller’s first intention who undertook this collection was to reduce it to four folio volumes, according to the program he published in November 1720. He divided it then into two classes, the first of which included the « Religious Ceremonies, practices & uses introduced on the occasion, or if you like, for the love of religion; the wedding, birth & funeral ceremonies of all the Peoples of the World, the superstitious ceremonies, the Clergymen’s Attire &c. »
The second contained the « Civil Ceremonies, that is to say, those practiced at the Crowning of the Sovereigns of the Universe, Exercises & games, public Entrances & Tournaments, Ballets, Carousels, Knight Installations, Masquerades &c. the punishments & sufferings, various uses of men in Civil Life, the clothing of all the Nations of the World, both ceremonial and ordinary &c. »
Here is the plan contained in this program: We are always resolved to follow this order; but there is still much to be done before so much material can be reduced to four volumes. They will hardly suffice for these Religious Ceremonies & Customs that must be regarded as general, and which are established by the authority of the Clergymen, who can be called the Depositories of Religious Rites. »
Complete example of the supplement in 2 volumes (i.e., vol. VII & VIII) and of “Superstitions” which are « very difficult to find » (Cohen).
Sought-after work for its abundant and impressive copperplate illustrations in the first printing (complete): frontispiece (often missing having been published later) and 266 plates out of text including 28 fold-outs and 11 on double pages, 9 title vignettes, and some headpieces scattered throughout the work.
Beautiful illustrations, depicting the rites and rituals of various beliefs as well as costumes, and deities, etc. (most with multiple subjects per plate).
The work deals with religions practiced by Jews and Catholics (vol. I & II), the peoples of the West Indies (America) and East Indies (vol. III), of the Orient (Moluccas, Borneo, China, Japan, Lapland, Persia, Africa…, vol. IV) the orthodox and Protestants (Copts, Armenians, Waldensians, Lutherans…, vol. V), Anglicans, Quakers and Anabaptists as well as the “fanatics”, convulsionists, Adamists, mystical sects Freemasons etc. (vol. VI) and the “Mohammedans” (vol. VII, also containing a supplement and tables) and vol. VIII & IX constitute a supplement with chapters on military orders, witchcraft, carnival festivals, the feast of fools (by J.-B. Du Tilliot)… The last 2 volumes relate to superstitions.
Superb bindings made by Chilliat, born in 1784, binder to Empress Marie-Louise.
Armorial bookplate with the motto “Pax et Libertas” and bookplate Wolvenbosch and Dr. L. De Winter. Modern stamp on the counterplates.
