Universal history & civilizations, general history and reference works, collections, syntheses, overviews, chronologies

The first edition, of which there were no deluxe copies.
Publisher's full navy cardboard binding, smooth spine, complete with its illustrated dust jacket which shows no defects.
Autograph inscription signed by André Frossard to the great Gaullist resistance fighter Gilbert Grandval.
Handsome copy.

First edition.
Half navy shagreen binding, smooth spines showing traces of rubbing decorated with romantic arabesques and double gilt fillets, upper headcaps worn, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, some tears of no great consequence to the leading edges, contemporary bindings.
Work illustrated with 287 plates hors-texte including 3 in color. Some foxing. Rare.

First edition.
Two small tears to, not serious, to foot of spine and upper cover, occasional foxing to lower cover.

First edition. Rare. Dedication to Monseigneur the Duke of Orléans, Philippe Égalité, Chartres was then under the same jurisdiction as Orléans.
Romantic binding in half blonde sheep. Smooth spines decorated with fleurons and gilt fillets. Corners very slightly bumped. A few pages of volume II very slightly stained.
Rare work not concerned solely, as its title might suggest, with history, but also with the geography of the city of Chartres, the origin of its main arteries. The author, lawyer and surveyor of the city, extensively documented himself in the archives and gathered everything that had been written of note since the origin of the city, anecdotes, events... The work proceeds chronologically from what is known earliest about the Chartrains up to 1786, in the form of annals. Information on agriculture, commerce, customs... A very useful and detailed index at the end of the volume. Finally, a directory of famous men of the Chartres region with biographical notices.
Ecclesiastical library stamp on the title page of each volume.

First edition.
Half bronze sheep binding, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets and blind-tooled fleurons, three small angular lacks to headcaps, marbled paper boards, lower corners slightly bumped, minor scuffs to leading edges, contemporary binding.
Ballpoint pen gift inscription on an endpaper, some minor foxing.

Second edition.
With figures to and hors texte.
A good copy.

First edition.
Work illustrated with plates outside the text.
Spine sunned and lightly cracked at head, foxing and small corner losses to marginally sunned boards, light traces of adhesive tape at head and foot of endpapers, handsome interior condition.
Rare.

First edition printed in a small number of copies.
A good copy.
A rare copy.

First edition of each volume.
Bradel binding in half red cloth, smooth spine decorated with double gilt fillets, marbled paper boards, original wrappers preserved for each volume.
Autograph inscriptions signed by the author to Messrs. Ravaisson and Caro at the head of the first cover of the first volume and on the title page of the fourth volume.
A handsome and rare set.

First edition.
Publisher's full mouse-gray cloth binding, smooth spine decorated with gilt and blind allegorical motifs, headcaps slightly worn, gilt allegorical decoration on front cover, corners very slightly bumped without any gravity, all edges gilt, binding signed by Engel.
Work illustrated with numerous hors-texte illustrations by F. Lix, P. Merwart, J. Geoffroy, J. Girardet, L. Roux... Handsome copy.

First edition, one of 1000 numbered copies on Rives paper, the tirage de tête.
Richly illustrated.
A very good copy.

First edition.
Half-brown cloth binding, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets and gilt title, marbled paper boards, speckled edges. Spine uniformly sunned, a lack to upper left corner, other corners bumped.
A folding map of Switzerland divided into 22 cantons created by the author.
Scattered foxing.

First edition limited to only 180 copies, ours being one of the 38 copies with duplicate suite on pure Renage thread.
The twelve lithographs by Robert Villard retrace and pay homage to the bombing of Nantes on September 16 and 23, 1943.
The justification page as well as each plate - including those of the suite, are signed by the artist.
Some foxing on the first leaves and joints slightly cracked, otherwise a handsome copy.

Second edition of the author's first work printed after the very rare first edition of London 1797.
Half tawny sheep binding, spine with five raised bands set with gilt friezes decorated with black fillets and blind typographical motifs, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, pastiche romantic binding.
Occasional foxing, a small hole with slight damage to text pages 387-388.
Rare.

Stated the second edition (but we have been unable to locate a previous edition, though it's possible it was published in one volume in the same year), considerably enlarged. The illustrations include an appliqué frontispiece portrait on China paper and 116 color plates of costumes (hand-painted and laid down).
Half red shagreen, spine decorated with compartments, fillets to covers, spines uniformly sunned. Corners bumped. Rubbing. Faint spotting to silk-paper guards of first volume and occasionally to margins near silk paper guards, but overall a very fresh copy.
A handsome work covering more than 80 religious and lay orders. Special pagination for the military-religious orders. Fine and very varied illustrations.

First edition.
Extract from the Revue des deux mondes.
In leaves, in chemise.

First edition.
Extract from the Revue des deux mondes.
In sheets, under chemise.

First edition.
Half mint green sheep binding, smooth spine slightly faded decorated with triple gilt fillets as well as blind typographical motifs, small traces of harmless rubbing on the spine, marbled paper boards, two corners slightly bumped, contemporary binding.
Work complete with its 2 folding plates at beginning and end of volume.
Two small angular lacks on the half-title page, some light foxing.

First edition. Extract from the Revue des Deux Mondes. Loose leaves under chemise.

Third edition, with some parts in first edition, revised, corrected and expanded.
Half bronze sheep binding, smooth spine brightened and decorated with quintuple fillets and gilt arabesque, quintuple gilt fillets at head and foot, one tiny hole at foot, marbled paper boards, marbled edges.
Rare foxing.

First edition.
Small marginal tears of no significance to front cover, very faint dampstain of no significance to head of first two pages, otherwise handsome copy.
Rare.

First edition.
Publisher's full blue cloth Bradel bindings, smooth spines slightly faded.This work, complete in 7 volumes, is composed as follows: - Volume 1: The Orient and Greece.- Volume 2: Rome and its Empire- Volume 3: The Middle Ages- Volume 4: The 16th and 17th Centuries- Volume 5: The 18th Century- Volume 6: The 19th Century- Volume 7: The Contemporary Era.Rich iconography.Rare and handsome set.

New edition with an original preface by Jules Richard. Three small tears with slight lacks to the spine.

First edition on ordinary paper.
Autograph inscription from the author.
Photograhic cover, iconography.
A good copy.

Second edition statement. Illustrated with 16 chromolithographs and 300 wood engravings (including 30 full-page plates) after monuments of the art of the period. Title page in red and black. Fine production by Didot, carefully executed in all aspects (typography, illustration, paper...). Publisher's red half-shagreen with corners, spine very richly decorated by Souze, and bound by Engel. Fillets on the boards. Corners rubbed, 2 small paper lacks to the boards (edges). Very pale halo from an old dampstain in the right margin of certain pages, but overall very fresh. Handsome copy with decorative appeal. The interest of the work is manifest both in its erudition and its accessibility and readability (historical anecdotes...). We owe it to Paul Jacob, who was a great bibliophile, writer and scholar, and curator of the Arsenal library. If the entire series has become a great classic in the field, it is because it successfully combines the work of publisher, printer, binder, historian, illustrators, and documentation, and few books have ultimately achieved this amalgamation that we owe to Firmin-Didot, at a time when books had become quite mediocre.

First edition of these two parts which are rarely found together. Manz later had two other parts published. Absent from German catalogues, we find an edition of the fourth part (1640) in Scotland (as the parts were sold separately since they treated specific points.) Absent from Brunet.
Full parchment binding with overlapping edges reusing a 15th-century manuscript. Spine largely missing. Traces of ties. Dampstains on boards. Pages 115 to 120, a tear with lack to right margin not touching text.
Caspar Manz (1606-1677) jurisconsult and collaborator of the Duke of Bavaria, professor at Ingolstadt, wrote this treatise of defense against tributes and war debts that were ruining peoples and states.
Engraved bookplate: Castello di Duino.

Second edition.
Half-sheep binding with dark green spine, smooth spine showing traces of rubbing, marbled paper boards, a marginal tear with loss to the front board, corners slightly bumped, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, contemporary binding.
Some foxing.
Rare.

New edition forming volume XVII of the author's complete works.
Half black sheep binding, smooth spine decorated with gilt ornamental motifs showing traces of rubbing, four nicks to edges, marbled paper boards.
Work complete with its folding map at beginning of volume.
Occasional foxing.

First edition. One folding engraving before the title page in line.
Contemporary half calf binding. Smooth spine decorated with 5 fleurons and roulettes. Bordeaux shagreen title label. Two tears with slight lacks on either side of the head cap. Spine rubbed and head cap browned. Upper joint cracked and open.
Lesurques is one of the most famous victims of judicial error. He was unjustly arrested due to his resemblance to one Dubosc, in the Lyon mail coach affair of 1796, a famous case of robbery with murder of the courier. Lesurques was beheaded with Courriol. Dubosc, finally arrested in 1798, was also executed and Lesurques recognized as innocent. The family demanded Lesurques' rehabilitation for more than 60 years but obtained only partial reparation. Salgues, taking up the entire affair and all the case files in this work, becomes the spokesman for the unfortunate family demanding reparation for Lesurques' memory. There would be a rehabilitation trial in 1823.
Inscription on the half-title page: Hommage à Mr Phillipon de la Marnière de la part de l'infortuné famille Lesurques. ["Tribute to Mr Phillipon de la Marnière from the unfortunate Lesurques family."]

First collected edition.
Illustrated.
A good copy.

First edition. Extracted from the Revue des Deux Mondes. Rare
In plain wrappers.

First edition. Extracted from the Revue des Deux Mondes. Rare
In plain wrappers.

First edition. Extracted from the Revue des Deux Mondes. Rare
In plain wrappers.

First edition. Extracted from the Revue des Deux Mondes. RareUnder plain wrapper.

First edition, extracted from the Revue des deux mondes. Rare.
In plain wrappers.

New edition for the first volume, first edition for the second.
Publisher's full brown cloth binding, smooth unlettered spine, title and author's name gilt-stamped on front board. At the beginning of our copy has been tipped in the second volume, text of a lecture given by the author in Boston in 1938, expanded with 3 original photographs with manuscript annotations by the work's previous owner.
Furthermore, tipped in at the end, our copy is expanded with an autograph letter from Cardinal Villeneuve to his correspondent regarding the true birthplace of Christopher Columbus (Calvi instead of Genoa).
Unique ensemble.

First edition. Rare. Not in the Bibliothèque Nationale de France.
Contemporary full sheep binding. Jansenist spine with raised bands. Red morocco title label. Rubbing. 2 brown stains on the lower board.
The first part of the work lists the mottos of all the emperors of east and west, with a brief biography and commentary for each entry, while the second part deals with the popes in the same manner. The final part chronicles the significant events that occurred in Europe from 1680 to 1689. The author had already used this approach for the preceding years in 'Le cabinet des grands'.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

First edition. Spine and boards marginally sunned, two marginal dampstains to boards, handsome interior condition.

Second edition reviewed, corrected and expanded.
Half sheep chocolat, a tear with a slight lack on a cover, otherwise nice copy in a contemporary binding.
Nice copies without foxing.

Fourth edition.
Work illustrated with a portrait, vignette and a facsimile.
Spine restored and reinforced, marginal lacks affecting the covers, some light foxing, rare copy presented in its original wrappers.
Gift inscription on the reverse of the front cover.

First edition en volume.
Illustrated cover.
A very good copy.

French gallery or collection of portraits of men and women who distinguished France in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. First edition. A supplement would appear a few years later. The index is lacking in the last volume.
Half black sheep with fillets, smooth spine. Excellent condition, some scattered foxing in the margins but on very white paper. The three volumes contain respectively 65 engravings, 60 and 62 engravings. The historical notices opposite each portrait, which comprise several pages, are the work of Villemain, Andrieux, Denon, Boissy d'Anglas and associates... the portraits by Mr Chrétien, Rulhman, Weber...
Numerous facsimiles add to the interest of the work, which contains portraits found nowhere else. This edition is uncommon and justly appreciated by collectors.

The places of publication and publishers are obviously fictitious.
Contemporary full calf binding. Smooth ornate spine. Red morocco title label. Head cap partially worn. 2 lacks to lower joint, 2 corners slightly bumped.
Collection of three satirical pieces against Jansenism. The Jesuits contributed to the distribution of these pieces, the first of which stages a Jansenist Tartuffe and enjoyed great success. The third piece is a dialogue between a Catholic doctor and a Jansenist.

First edition published in a small number of copies.
Work illustrated with engravings.
Two small tears at head and foot of spine, some light foxing.
Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover.

First edition.
Plain paper cover.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

The first edition appears to be that of 1655 in-8vo (Hafniae). Henricus Ernstus's Epistola de paenula also appeared in 1655. We have found no trace of this book in the online catalogue of the Danish library, several copies in the United Kingdom, one from 1697 in French catalogues. Printer's device on the title page. Not in Brunet.
Contemporary half vellum binding. Smooth spine with title in black ink lengthwise. Boards covered with nineteenth-century marbled paper. Top margin of title page trimmed half a centimeter shorter.
The paenula was the Roman cloak, narrow and short, which fastened like a toga and was worn over the tunic, equipped with a hood. It was used in the army and for travel and was common to both men and women. It would later dress the monks.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

Second edition.
A dampstain affecting the spine and the two first pages and marginally to lower cover, one tear with a lack to foot of spine.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

The first edition, published in a small number of copies. Full light green cardboard binding, smooth unlettered spine covered in black cloth. Small lexicon with names in French and their Arabic translation opposite. Rare and handsome copy.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

First edition. Preface by Camille Mauclair. On Armande Béjart, the beautiful Creole women of history and letters, women in the work of Stendhal, A. France and Ingres...

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

First edition.
Plain paper cover. Rare.

First edition published in a small number of copies of this offprint from the Revue anthropologique.
Light foxing to covers.
Rare pamphlet.

First edition.
Half cherry red shagreen binding, spine with four raised bands set with gilt dots decorated with double gilt fillets, gilt initials and laurel leaf on the boards, pale discoloration stains without consequence on the first board, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, one endpaper missing, contemporary binding.
Work illustrated with 4 engravings outside the text including a frontispiece.

New edition partly in first edition as entirely revised, corrected and expanded.
Half dark green calf binding, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets and dots, gilt friezes at head and foot, marbled paper boards, surface wear with a lack of leather on the front cover, corners and edges bumped.
Ink ownership inscription, some foxing.

First edition.
Half black shagreen bindings, smooth spines with slight harmless scratches decorated with gilt floral motifs, pine green percaline boards, front covers richly illustrated with gilt decorative motifs, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, green top edges, publisher's bindings.
Work abundantly decorated with illustrations in and outside the text.
Handsome set.

First edition.
Work illustrated with 16 heliogravures hors-texte.
Two tiny tears without significance on the first cover.

First edition.
Full paper binding, smooth spine, hazel shagreen title-label, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, original wrappers preserved, top edge red.
Work illustrated with drawings hors-texte and complete with its folding plate at rear.

First edition.
Bound in half red shagreen, spine with five raised bands set with black fillets decorated with gilt fleurons, slight rubbing to spines, marbled paper boards lightly scuffed, corners bumped, minor nicks to edges, contemporary bindings.
Some light foxing.

First edition.
Half aubergine shagreen binding, smooth spine decorated with gilt friezes and typographical motifs, headcaps very lightly rubbed, marbled paper boards, corners bumped, marbled edges.
Concerning Madame de Genlis, Mahomet, Luther, L. de Bonald, Saint Bernard, Talleyrand...
Scattered foxing.

First edition.
Half black shagreen binding, spine with five raised bands decorated with gilt fleurons showing minor rubbing, blind fillet frame on black paper boards, corners very slightly bumped, marbled endpapers and pastedowns.
The work is illustrated with in-text engravings.
Some minor foxing.

First edition printed in a small number of this offprint. Signed autograph inscription by the author. An angular tear with lack at the head of the front cover affecting the following four pages (including the autograph inscription) but without damage to the text, another tear with lack still without touching the text. Rare brochure in this condition.

First edition.
Signed autograph inscription by Pierre Morel.
Work illustrated with photographs and complete with its folding map at rear.
A light pale stain on front cover, otherwise handsome copy.

First edition.
A light scratching to the spine, a good and rare copy, softcover.

First edition.
Minor lacks of no consequence at head and foot of spine, some foxing.

First edition.
A printer's error making some lines on pages 43 and 44 difficult to read.
Rare pamphlet.

First edition.
Bradel binding in half emerald cloth, smooth spine decorated with gilt floral motif and double gilt fillet at foot, burgundy shagreen title-label, marbled paper boards, contemporary binding.
Some minor foxing, handsome copy.

First edition.
Pamphlet illustrated with 4 figures in the text.
Light foxing to the covers, otherwise a handsome copy.
Rare.

First edition.
Half bronze sheep binding, spine with four raised bands set with gilt friezes decorated with cold-stamped friezes and fleurons as well as gilt fillets, gilt friezes at head and foot, tiny hole at foot of spine, joints lightly rubbed, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, marbled edges, contemporary Romantic binding.
With frontispiece engraved portrait of the author.
Some foxing.

New edition. Half bronze sheep bindings, smooth spines decorated with gilt fillets, friezes and fleurons, upper and lower headcaps worn, traces of rubbing to joints, marbled paper boards, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, contemporary bindings. Some foxing.

New edition. Half tan sheep binding, smooth spine decorated with gilt friezes, marbled paper boards, traces of rubbing on the leading edges. Prize label pasted opposite the title page, some foxing.