Beschreibung:

The Ceremonies and Religious Customs of the Various Nations of the Known World. London: Claude Du Bosc, 1731-39. 7 volumes in 6. Folio (407 x 256 mm). Half titles, titles in red and black with engraved vignettes, engraved dedication page in volume IV, 220 engraved plates, many double-page or folding, engraved illustrations and headers in text. Contemporary calf, rebacked. Heavily rubbed, significant chipping to some spines with underlying cloth showing through, scattered browning and foxing. FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH, A richly illustrated landmark work on religious tolerance. "No other work before then had ever attempted, in word and image, such a grand sweep of human religions, Religious Ceremonies of the World marked a major turning point in European attitudes toward religious beliefs and hence the sacred" (Hunt, Jacob & Mijnhardt The Book that Changed Europe: Picart and Bernard's Religious Ceremonies of the World p 1). Picart's engravings "are indeed so finely executed, both in the drawing and engraving, that there are few plates even at this day which excel them" (Field 1212, French edition). Sabin 4934.