Naaukeurige beschryving der uitwendige Godsdienst-plichten, Kerk-zeden, en Gewoontens van alle Volkeren der Waereldt.

6 vol., folio: [28]-397-[4], 324-[18], [8]-187-[5]-229-[7], [2]-424-30, [8]-368, [8]-340-[2]-317-[42] pp.; 223 (of 224) + 1 pl. (missing pl. in vol. 4: n. 171: "Église des Arméniens", missing text in vol. 1: "3z", vol. 6: "le Temple de la Mecque": soiled and tears, last pl. hand-coloured, text lvs occ. folded. All vol.: sl. dampstained (esp. upper margins in vol. 2, 3, 6), some parts rather browned, occ. some foxing, but with the pl. almost always in good condition).

Contemp. mottled calf, richly gilt decorated covers and spines with 6 raised bands (joints and hinges often weak, occ. part. broken, sl. rubbed and other sm. defects, but a very fine set in global).

Rare Dutch translation by A. Moubach of the blockbuster "Céremonies et coutumes réligieuses" (1st ed.: 1723), edited by J. Fr. Bernard, Bruzen de La Martinière and a few others. Unlike its devastating critique of established religion and its almost prohibitive cost, the book was an "author's dream" that remained in print for almost a full century. Illustrated by Bernard Picart (1673-1733) who maintained the delicate balance between aesthetics and accuracy in the 224 (folding) engraved pl. According to the indexes, this copy includes all plates but one, and has 1 supplementary plate in vol. 6 (p. 167): "Le cimetière de St. Medard - Différentes agitations des convulsionaires." Also present is Picart's magnificent "Vignette of the principal religions of the world" that was specially engraved for the Dutch edition. All editions were bestsellers in their own right, but this is even more true for the Dutch edition with all 550 copies sold (295 to the subscribers), and this while many educated Dutch already subscribed to the original French edition.
Ref. Hunt, L.- The Book that changed Europe: Picart and Bernard's Religious Ceremonies of the World. Cambridge, Harvard University Press, 2010, pp. 314-315. - Graesse II: 104 (Fr. ed.) - Cohen 134 (id.). - Not in STCN.
Prov. I.M. [= Isaac Meulman] Grypt als 't rypt. (Ownership's entry).