☙ Histoire Universelle - Tome XVI

1790 - Une société de gens de lettres

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☙ Histoire Universelle - Tome XVI

✑ Une société de gens de lettres

HISTOIRE UNIVERSELLE, DEPUIS LE COMMENCEMENT DU MONDE JUSQU'A PRESENT. TRADUITE DE LANGLOIS D'UNE SOCIÉTÉ DE GENS DE LETTRES.

This precise work is a gem of 18th-century scholarship. It is Volume 16 of the overall series, marking the beginning of the section on Modern History (Volume II of this subsection). Generally published around 1761 (Amsterdam edition, Arkstée & Merkus) or in the reprints of 1779–1782 (Paris edition, Moutard), it focuses on the Golden Age of Islamic civilization. This sixteenth volume represents a cornerstone of Enlightenment historiography, signaling the transition of the work toward Modern History. Dedicated to the Abbasid dynasty, it traces the rise and fall of the Caliphate of Baghdad, from the reign of Al-Mahdi to the fateful fall of the city under the Mongol (Tartar) assault in 1258. Translated from English by a collective of scholars, this volume stands out for its commitment to treating the history of Islam not as an exotic curiosity, but as an essential component of the evolution of world civilization.

Why add it to your collection?

A Precise Testimony of the Golden Age of Islam

A High-Quality Engraved Cartography

The Spirit of Enlightenment Encyclopedism

Exceptional Craftsmanship (Chiffon Paper)

A Dramatic Narrative: From Glory to Fall

Description

The sixteenth volume (Volume II of Modern History) is an immersion into the Golden Age of Islam. The narrative begins with the reign of Al-Mahdi (775–785), a period of imperial consolidation, and continues to the zenith under Harun al-Rashid, whose name immediately evokes the One Thousand and One Nights, although the work here adheres to strict historical rigor.

The main interest of this volume lies in its ability to document the fragmentation of power. The authors analyze how the authority of the Caliphs eroded in the face of the rising influence of the Turkish guards and local dynasties (Saffarids, Samanids), inevitably leading to the Mongol capture of Baghdad in 1258. The text is dense, sprinkled with complex genealogies and details on the fiscal and military administration of the Caliphate.

Engravings and Maps: A Visual Window

The expression "Enriched with necessary figures and maps" is not merely a marketing claim of the time; it refers to a finely executed copperplate engraving (intaglio) work:

Geographical Maps

The volume generally contains one or more folding maps. These maps, often prepared by renowned geographers such as D'Anville or Bellin, present the "Sapiens" of the era: the courses of the Euphrates and Tigris, caravan routes, and the boundaries of the provinces of Iraq and Persia.

Figures and Plates

It contains plates illustrating elements of material culture or ceremonial scenes. These engravings are recognizable by the copperplate mark (the "plate impression") visible on the paper margins.

The Critical Apparatus: The presence of chronological tables and lists of rulers allows the reader not to get lost in the succession of Caliphs. Each chapter is introduced with a detailed summary, and the margins often feature dates in Roman numerals to facilitate temporal navigation.

Quality of the Collectible

The paper used is acid-free rag paper, which explains why, more than 250 years later, the pages retain their suppleness and whiteness, despite occasional "foxing" due to humidity. The typography uses movable lead type, with deep black inking. The title is often printed in red and black, a sign of superior quality for editions of this period.

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