66 - COURT DE GÉBELIN (Antoine).

COURT DE GÉBELIN (Antoine). The Primitive World, Analyzed and Compared with the Modern World […]. Paris: Published by the Author, Boudet, Valleyre, Veuve Duchesne, Saugrain & Ruault, 1773–1776 & 1778–1782. 9 volumes in-4°, calfskin, decorated ribbed spine (contemporary binding). FIRST ILLUSTRATED EDITION of this monumental work by the Freemason writer Antoine Court de Gébelin (1728–1784), in which he attempts to trace a supposed original unity of languages, myths, and institutions. Five frontispieces, including three by MARILLIER and one by BORNET, 45 plates, twenty of which are folded, and two large folded maps. • […] considered in terms of its allegorical genius and the allegories to which that genius gave rise. (1773). One frontispiece by MARILLIER. [Followed by:] Oriental Allegories, or The Fragment of Sanchoniaton, which contains the story of Saturn, followed by those of Mercury and Hercules, and his twelve labors, with their explanation, to aid in understanding the Symbolic Genius of Antiquity. (1773). Three plates & three vignettes by MARILLIER. [Followed by:] On the Allegorical and Symbolic Genius of Antiquity. • […] considered in the natural history of speech; or Universal and Comparative Grammar. (1774). A frontispiece by MARILLIER & two plates; one vignette. • […] considered in the natural history of speech; or The Origin of Language and Writing. (1775). A frontispiece by MARILLIER & 22 plates, most of them folded; one vignette. [Followed by:] Letter to the Anonymous Author […]. Paris: Valleyre the Elder, 1774. • […] Considered in the Civil, Religious, and Allegorical History of the Calendar or Almanac. (1776). A frontispiece & eight plates, most of them folded; three engraved vignettes. • […] considered in its French origins; or Etymological Dictionary of the French Language. (1778) A frontispiece by BORNET; one vignette. • […] considered in its Latin origins; or Etymological Dictionary of the Latin Language. (2 volumes; 1779 & 1780). A large map “of Ancient Italy” & two folded plates. • […] Considered in Various Subjects Concerning History, Heraldry, Coins, Games, the Phoenicians’ Voyages Around the World, American Languages, etc., or Miscellaneous Dissertations. (1781). A large folded map “of the Assyrian Empire and the Conquests of Nebuchadnezzar in Asia” and eight plates, some of which are folded. • […] Considered in Light of Greek Origins; or An Etymological Dictionary of the Greek Language, Preceded by Research and New Perspectives on the Origin of the Greeks and Their Language. (1782). Some wear to the bindings; three title and volume number pages missing; some quires disbound and loose folios, including several frontispieces and the map of Italy; the decoration on the spine of vol. VII is slightly different. From the Loynel Library with bookplates. “A rare work, especially since vol. IX is often missing. ” (Guaita, 1267); “A work that constitutes a true monument of scholarship […]” (Dorbon, 927); Caillet, I, 2668; Quérard, II, 316.