36 text volumes plus 3 volume "Recueil de Planches..." containing 442 engraved plates, many two-page (few comprising 2 plates numbers), several folding including 10 maps; two portraits in first volume, a few folding tables in text volumes. (4to) 25.4x19.2 cm. (10x7½") period half-calf and mottled boards, each volume with 2 black morocco spine labels lettered in gilt.

A mixed (though uniformly bound and clearly together since the 18th century) set of the Nouvelle Edition (Volumes 9, 12, 15-26, 29, 31-32, 34-35, Plate Volumes 1 & 2) and the Troiseme Edition (Volumes 1-8, 10-12, 14, 27-28, 30, 33, 36, Plate Volume 3). 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.