Rare 1733-34 "The Ceremonies and Religious Customs of the Known World" 4 Volumes
Item Details
A magnificent group of 1733-34 antiquarian books containing four volumes (of seven) of ‘The Ceremonies and Religious Customs of the Various Nations of the Known World’, ‘Together with Historical Annotations, and feveral Curious Discourses Equally Inftructive and Entertaining’ (sic) London. Folio edition, early 19th century calf binding with fine laid paper. Vol. I and Vol. IV are dated 1733; Vol. II and Vol. III are dated 1734. Each volume includes a presentation page to Lord Richard Boyle, Earl of Burlington and Cork, & C. & C. Affixed bookplate in Vol. II displays a coat of arms with The Honorable Geo. Townshend Esq. At the time this was a monumental and scholarly set of books containing some of the earliest and best Western observances of religions and ceremonies. The work for these books began in the 1600s with printings in German and Latin. These volumes were translated from a 1637 Paris printing from French to English by St. John’s College in Oxford. Hundreds of gravure illustrations designed by Mr. Bernard Picart are included throughout the books. Vol. I contains the ‘The Ceremonies and Religious Customs of the Jews, and the Roman Catholicks’ (sic) (450 pgs.), Vol. II ‘A Continuation of the Dissertations concerning the Customs and Religious Ceremonies of the Roman Catholics’ (364 pgs.), Vol. III ‘The Ceremonies and Religious Customs of the Dolatrous Nations’ (495 pgs.), and Vol. IV ’ ‘The Ceremonies and Religious Customs of the Idolatrous Nations’ (514 pgs.).
Condition
The leather covered boards are in poor condition as they are deteriorated and detached with one front board missing. The spines have exposed and worn raised bands of rope. The pages are warped but intact to spine except for Vol. I which is in several parts. There is minimal tearing of pages.
Dimensions
Dimensions listed are for each volume.
Item #
14CIN017-017
