A Diderot Pictorial Encyclopedia of Trades and Industry in Two Volumes

Diderot’s Encyclopedia was one of the monumental publishing ventures of the 18th century. Written by many leading authorities, it attempted to record all available knowledge and took over 20 years to complete. This two-volume set consists of 485 full page reprints of the finest plates in the Encyclopedia along with a commentary by Professor Charles Gillespie of Princeton University that explains each illustrated plate and provides background information. These two volumes offer a unique and invaluable record of manufacturing and the trades just prior to the industrial revolution. Included are sections on glass making, ship building, carriage making, weaving, harness making, printing, stonework, tilework, tanning, gilding, silver plating, shoe making, coopering, paper making, rope making, masonry, carpentry, the iron foundry and forge, printing, leather, and metalworking.

Two Volumes. 936 total pages. 9 x 12. Soft cover. 485 full page plates with over 2000 illustrations. $59.90. (1993) Vol. 1 ISBN 0486274284; Vol. 2 ISBN 0486274292