Bibliothèque orientale, ou Dictionaire universel contenant généralement tout ce qui regarde la connoissance des peuples de l'Orient. Leurs histoires et traditions véritables ou fabuleuses. Leurs religions, sectes et politique [...].

Folio (n.c., marg. wormtrack in the first half, occ. spotting).

Contemp. calf, gilt-orn. spine with raised bands (spine rebacked).

First edition, posthumously publ., of the most important work by the French orientalist Herbelot de Molainville (1626-1695). "It is a sort of abridgement of all the oriental books d'Herbelot had ever read, and it forms a sort of encyclopaedia of Arabic, Persian and Turkish literature and history in the widest sense of those words" (Atabey). It was completed by Antoine Galland (1646-1715), famous as the first European translator of "The Thousand and One Nights". He wrote the preface and added supplementary material. Text in 2 col. Title printed in red & black.
Ref. Conlon, Prélude, 8195. - Caillet 5082 ("Le plus remarquable des ouvrages anciens sur l'Orientalisme"). - Cp. Atabey 572 (2nd ed.).