The Encyclopedie was published under the direction of Diderot from 1751 onward with thousands of articles written by the most prominent philosophers and scientists of the time. These great minds collaborated in the goal of assembling and disseminating the fruits of accumulated knowledge and learning. This massive reference work for the arts and sciences, served to propagate Enlightened ideas. Read a full description of this work and Diderot at Wikipedia.com.

A great set of marine engravings that is composed of seven single-page plates (approx. 8 x 13") and one double-page (17 x 12.5"). Together they show cable and rope configurations and the various wood stanchions and attachments for winching, sheaves, etc. Also, two plates focus on the individual handmade wooden components used in hull construction. A cross-section sheet provides excellent detail of the construction of the hull and includes the mounting and attachment of cannons for a large ship. A completed smaller boat called a Chaloupe or barque is shown on another sheet in several views. The double-page sheet illustrates a large building used for tarring and drying hawsers (large ropes).

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Condition: A

Good impression on full sheets with original margins and deckle-edged paper on three sides.