186 - MORERI, Louis. *Le Grand dictionnaire historique*.

MORERI, Louis. *Le Grand dictionnaire historique*. Paris, Published by the Associated Booksellers, 1759. Folio (40.5 x 25.5 cm), full marbled calfskin, ribbed spine decorated with panels, marbled edges. 10 uncollated vols. Bindings rubbed, caps damaged. The 20th edition (1759), in ten volumes, of the Moreri dictionary, the most comprehensive and sought-after. It is the last and only edition in which all the supplements have been incorporated into the main text. This encyclopedia, particularly rich in geographical and historical content, sparked an immediate craze throughout Europe, and its success lasted for nearly the entire century following its publication, leading to numerous reprints. The literary success of this dictionary is attested not only by the twenty editions published between 1674 and 1759, but also by the resounding success it enjoyed over two centuries: Victor Hugo frequently used it for the historical details that appear in his novels. Moréri’s dictionary remains useful even today as the foremost collection of biographical entries, particularly regarding the history and thought of 16th-century Europe. Its main strength lies in its encyclopedic approach to subjects as diverse as history, geography, genealogy, and religion. A fine copy of the 20th and final edition, in period binding, complete with all 10 volumes, featuring a frontispiece and portrait in Volume 1.