A fascinating set of plates relating to cartography, astronomy, mathematics, physics and more from Diderot's enormously influential work, drawn by Benard. The plates include illustrations of instruments used in hydraulics, astronomy, navigation, cartography, physics, pneumatics, and mathematics. The section on astronomy depicts planetary projections, telescopes, astrolabes, and even a plan for an observatory. The mathematics section includes a depiction of Pascal's calculating machine. This book includes 96 (of 102) plates numbered sequentially, with plates 52-57 missing. A detailed explanation of the plates and figures appears at the front of the book, with pages 7-8 missing, which correspond with plates 42-58. Folio, 13 pp. text and 96 plates. Professionally conserved and rebound in marbled paper-covered boards.

The Encyclopedie was published under the direction of Diderot with articles written by the most prominent philosophers of the time. These great minds collaborated in the goal of assembling and disseminating the fruits of accumulated knowledge and learning. Containing 72,000 articles written by more than 140 contributors, it was a massive reference work for the arts and sciences that served to propagate Enlightened ideas. Due to problems of censorship, the first edition was issued over a period of 21 years, in an original printing of approximately 4,000 copies.

References:

Condition: A

The majority of the plates are in near fine (A) or fine (A+) condition, and about 10 plates are in very good (B+) condition with light toning and occasional minor foxing. The binding is in excellent condition, the spine is lightly sunned, and the covers show minor wear.