Dictionnaire historique, ou memoires critique et litteraires, concernant la vie et les ouvrages de divers personnages distingués, particulierement dans la république des lettres

First edition which would never be reprinted. It is illustrated with one plate, a genealogical table of the Estienne family, and 7 in-text figures (medals...). Title page in red and black. Printed in two columns, the half-title and titles on heavy paper. 6 pages of catalogue at the end of volume I.
Contemporary full marbled and glazed brown calf binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Red morocco title label. Split headcaps; upper joint cracked, lower joint largely split, and even open at head and foot. Lack of leather on one band; corners worn and bumped; rubbing and surface wear). Fresh paper overall.
Bookseller-publisher, man of letters and biographer, Prosper Marchand conceived this dictionary as a sequel or supplement to Bayle's dictionary. The author left it in manuscript and it was his friend and testamentary executor, Lallemand, who took 4 years to organize the notes and complete the edition. For each person in the dictionary, one finds a biography, a critique of his works, a bibliography and anecdotes. The work is filled with rare and interesting information on forgotten writers or scholars of all periods, notably the Middle Ages.