Denis Diderot (1713-1784) and Jean Le Rond d'Alembert
Depictions of Artisans and Trades
from
Encyclopédie, ou Dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des métiers et des arts [Encyclopedia, or a Systematic Dictionary of Science, Arts, and the Trades]
Books of engravings bound in original 18th Century section
Red Tag Price: $250 each
Sections of a remarkable reference book containing plates that accompanied Diderot's "Encyclopedia," a landmark work of the Enlightenment that depicted the tools and methods of artisans and tradespeople in a methodical and thorough way.
The entire encyclopedia was published between 1751 and 1772, and comprised 17 volumes of text and 11 volumes of plates. The marvelous detailed plates show how everything in the period was made. It had a huge impact on its own time, and is highly valued by present-day historians as a record of the techniques and vocations of the pre-Industrial world. It is also a great resource for collectors, artists and craftspeople.
Condition: Prints generally very good with the usual light toning, wear, soiling, soft
creases. Some edges lightly bumped, chipped or worn. Covers in similar
condition, sometimes generally showing a little more wear than prints
inside.