Comprising 28 volumes of the second (stated) edition of the Encyclopedie (17 volumes of text and 11 volumes of plates), published in Lucca, Italy by Vincenzo Giuntini; plus 4 volumes of the text Supplement, published in Amsterdam by M. Rey. (This set without the later issued 2-volume index [Table analytique et raisonne des matieres of 1780] and the 1-volume supplement to the plates [Suite de recueil de planches of 1777].) Together, 32 volumes. With additional notes and editing by Octavien Diodati. Complete with nearly 3000 copper-engraved plates (2,796 as listed on title-pages). (Folio) 16½x10½, period vellum with gilt-lettered spines (except vol. 11 of text rebound in modern cloth). Supplement volumes bound in period mottled calf, spines gilt.

The Italian edition is printed in French with overlapping dates to the French first edition. Remarkably, the type was completely reset and plates redrawn to incorporate corrections. The French edition was published beginning in 1751. This set has 4 letterpress notices from the Italian publisher laid in to the first 3 volumes. It also bears the bookplates of Felice and Frances Ferrero. Felice Ferrero is thought to have purchased the set in Milan a few years before the outbreak of WWI. It was present at his home in Connecticut where he worked on his own history of science. Diderot’s Encyclopedia is the most important publishing venture of the Enlightenment. “A monument in the history of European thought; the acme of the age of reason; a prime motive force in undermining the ancient regime and in heralding the French Revolution; a permanent source for all aspects of eighteenth century civilization” (PMM). Diderot and D’Alembert wrote the majority of the approximately 72,000 entries. Other contributors include Buffon, Condorcet, Montesquieu, Necker, Rousseau and Voltaire. Printing and the Mind of Man 200.