Diderot, Denis and Jean d'Alembert.

35 volumes, comprising 17 volumes of text, 12 of plates, 4 of supplement and 2 of tables, folio (398 x 248mm.), half-titles (except in text vols 8-17), woodcut device on title-pages, some woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces, 7 folding letterpress tables, a few woodcut illustrations, a few leaves of manuscript inserted in volume 9 (containing extracts from the text, one using the verso of a note addressed to Monsieur Lot of Paris dated 1820), inserted in volume 10 a printed advertisement (early 19th-century, in French and Dutch) for the "bague" of Joseph Petit, physician to the King of Hungary, inserted in volume 16 a note addressed to Monsieur Cosmant dated 15 May 1767 regarding books for binding, 2790 engraved plates (some double-page or folding), contemporary uniform marbled calf, spines gilt in compartments, red edges, green silk page markers, occasional light browning or spotting, a few small tears, extremities rubbed, a few small cracks in joints, some spines slightly chipped

Norman 637; PMM 200

Text vols vol.1 folding letterpress table, a few spots and a few leaves sl browned, joints cracking at foot vol.2 ditto, joints cracking at foot, extrems sl rubbed vol.3 ditto, small wormhole in gutter, leaf stubs either side of 5f4, joints sound, extrems sl rubbed vol.4: leaf stub after H3, spine chipped at head and foot, extrems sl rubbed vol.5: half-title with small tear at foot, a few spots, joints cracking at foot, extrems sl rubbed vol.6: sl foxing, a few spots, a few leaves sl browned, spine chipped at head, extrems sl rubbed vol.7: a few leaves sl browned, extrems sl rubbed, spine chipped at head & foot, upper joint cracking vol.8: folding letterpress table, sl spotting, extrems sl rubbed, spine chipped at head & foot, lower joint cracking at head, Hh3 torn at foot without loss but affecting text vol.9: few leaves sl browned, sl spotting, extrems rubbed, spine sl chipped vol.10: few leaves sl browned, spine sl chipped at head vol.11: few leaves sl browned, damaged at head of lower joint with repair to calf, extrems sl rubbed, spine sl chipped at head vol.12: sl spotting, joints cracking, head of spine sl chipped, extrems sl rubbed vol.13: sl spotting, a few leaves sl browned, spine chipped at head, extrems sl rubbed vol.14: sl spotting & browning, spine chipped at head, extrems sl rubbed vol.15: sl spotting & browning, spine sl chipped vol.16: sl spotting & browning, scrape on upper cover, lower joint cracking at foot, spine sl chipped, corners bumped vol.17: sl spotting & browning, covers sl scraped, spine sl chipped, corners bumped Plates vol.1: 250 (18 d-p) corners bumped, joints cracking at head and foot, spine chipped at head, occ v sl browning vol.2: 206 (25 d-p, 1 fold), sl spotted, extrems rubbed, spine chipped at head vol.3: 195 (7 d-p), extrems sl rubbed vol.4: 275 (24 d-p), extrems sl rubbed, upper joint splitting at foot, foot of spine torn vol.5: 236 (11 d-p), extrems sl rubbed, lower joint broken vol.6: 265 (26 d-p), occ sl browning, extrems rubbed. lower joint cracking vol.7: 242 (7 d-p, 3 fold), extrems rubbed, spine chipped at head & foot vol.8: 237 (2 d-p, 14 fold), extrems rubbed, a few wormholes in spine vol.9: 209 (40 fold), extrems sl rubbed, a few wormholes in spine vol.10: 267 (56 fold), extrems rubbed, spine chipped at head & foot vol.11: 192 (45 fold), occ sl browning, extrems rubbed, joints breaking, spine chipped at head and foot Supp: vol.1: 3 folding letterpress tables, occ sl spotting, a few leaves sl browned, bdg sl rubbed, upper joint cracking at foot vol.2: folding letterpress table, A2 with small marginal tear, Mm1 and Mm4 with repaired marginal tears, occ sl spotting, extrems rubbed vol.3: folding letterpress table, a few leaves sl browned, 4M2 with marginal paper repair, occ sl spotting, extrems sl rubbed, vol.4: few leaves sl foxed, occ sl spotting, extrems rubbed, vol.12 (Suite de recueil...plates): 215 (29 d-p), extrems rubbed, spine chipped at head table vol 1: large folding engraved plate, occ sl spotting, 10L2 torn at foot (no loss), extrems rubbed, spine chipped at head and foot, few wormholes in spine vol.2: a few leaves sl browned, occ sl spotting, small hole in 5Y1 with slight loss of text, extrems rubbed, spine chipped at head and foot
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

first edition of the enlightenment's monumental contribution to universal knowledge. The Encyclopédie was the result of a massive collaborative effort, with contributions by the leading French intellectuals of the day, including Rousseau, Voltaire and Montesquieu.