Wetstein, R. & J. & Smith, G.

First French edition translated by Arnaud de la Chapelle. Title page in red and black.

Later 19th-century full red morocco binding with straight grain (Russia leather) signed by Thouvenin at tail. Spine with raised bands decorated with compartments framed by gilt fillets. Title and date in gilt. Gilt fillets framing the boards with trefoils in the corners. Inner gilt fillet. All edges gilt. Spine slightly faded. Rubbing to headcaps, joints and corners. Upper joint narrowly split at tail for 3 cm. One tear on p. 274, another on p. 302, both in the middle of the page. Despite some defects, a handsome copy.

    
20th-century engraved bookplate of E. Crawshaw.         

This is the penultimate edition of the most famous historical dictionary, an inexhaustible source that remains highly sought after for both history and genealogy. This edition was refined by Platel and considerably expanded. The first edition was the only one published during the author's lifetime, in 1664, in one folio volume.
Bindings in full dark brown glazed mottled calf, spine with raised bands decorated with animal tools, red morocco title labels. Unidentified arms on the boards (possibly of a town or the Oormsgard family, but non-French arms) with a lion facing forward (and not in profile as usual) holding a castle.
Copy complete with the frontispiece.
Volume I has the upp