finely bound by Bickers & Son

A fine set in contemporary half green morocco by Bickers & Son of the first edition of John Morley's (1838-1923) history of the French philosophe Denis Diderot (1713-1784) and the contributors to first the Encycylopédie.

One of the most influential works of the French Enlightenment, the Encyclopédie originated with the publisher's suggestion for a translation of Chambers' Cyclopaedia into French. Diderot, however, persuaded the publisher to undertake a new work along the same lines, but greatly extended in size and scope, which would employ all the active writers of its time, all the new ideas and all the new knowledge which was then circulating in the cultured class in France.

First edition; 2 vols; 8vo (22 x 14.5 cm); contemporary ownership inscription in pen to front free endpapers recto, binder's stamp to verso of front marbled endpaper of each vol.; contemporary half green morocco by Bickers & Son, marbled boards ruled in gilt, gilt spines, all edges gilt, very minor wear, near fine; xii, 338; x, 358pp.