“NO OTHER WORK BEFORE HAD EVER ATTEMPTED… SUCH A GRAND SWEEP OF HUMAN RELIGIONS”: COMPLETE FOLIO FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH OF PICART’S VISUAL MASTERPIECE, ONE OF THE MONUMENTAL ILLUSTRATED WORKS OF THE 18TH CENTURY, RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES AND CUSTOMS

(PICART, Bernard) [Bernard, Jean Frédéric]. The Religious Ceremonies and Customs of the Several Nations of the Known World. London: Nicholas Prevost, 1731 (Volumes I-III) and Claude du Bosc, 1735-39 (Volumes IV-VII). Seven volumes bound in six. Folio (10-1/2 by 16 inches), contemporary speckled calf rebacked, raised bands.

First edition in English of one of the most spectacular illustrated works of the 18th century, complete with 223 large folio copper engravings, 32 double-page or folding, depicting the religious ceremonies of numerous faiths and nations, including Jewish and North American Indian rites. “No other work before had ever attempted, in word and image, such a grand sweep of human religions” (The Book that Changed Europe, 1).

Picart, “the outstanding professional illustrator of the first third of the 18th-century,” is famed largely for this monumental work, here complete in three large folio volumes (Ray, The Art of the French Illustrated Book, 7). The superb copper-engraved plates, many double-page or folding, illustrate in fine detail scenes of sacred ceremonies, religious dress, and views of churches and temples throughout “the known world.” The families of both Picart and his publisher, Jean Frédéric Bernard, had fled from France to Holland to escape religious persecution. “Religious Ceremonies of the World cannot be understood apart from Bernard and Picart’s own experience of religious intolerance and persecution… By offering a global and culturally relative depiction of religious diversity, Picart and Bernard’s book supported those voices arguing for religious toleration” (Hunt, et al., The Book that Changed Europe, 7-8).

Of particular historical interest are the sections regarding the Jews. “Picart earned a place in the history of Jewish art by his realistic portrayal of Jewish religious rites. These constitute an invaluable record of Dutch Jewry in the early 18th-century… Picart sought out Jews in the synagogue and in their homes in order to acquaint himself with their ceremonies. In his picture of a Passover celebration the artist himself can be seen, hatless, participating in the meal” (Encyclopedia Judaica). The engravings and text describing the North American Indians are celebrated for their documentary value as well: “On the 34 folio pages of engravings will be found 75 [images] illustrating the religious rites, amatory customs, funeral ceremonies, habitations, utensils and weapons of various nations of American aborigines… They are so finely executed, both in the drawing and engraving, that there are few plates even at this day which excel them” (Field 1212).

“Religious Ceremonies of the World was a blockbuster. Its devastating critique of established religion and its almost prohibitive cost never impeded its commercial success… The original Amsterdam edition was printed in 1200 copies, about the maximum amount that could be made in one run [due to inevitable wear on the copperplates]… The six-volume English edition was probably printed in more than 800 copies. It must have sold rapidly…” (Hunt, et al., 296-97). The first three volumes of this set are from the rare 1731 Nicholas Prevost first edition in English. The remaining volumes were published by Claude du Bosc between 1735 and 1739, who also issued the first three volumes under his own imprint at this time. Thus, this is the full first edition in English. First published in Amsterdam, in French, beginning in 1723. Title pages printed in red and black. Bound with all half titles except Volume V. Sabin 4934. Harthan, 140. Ray, The Art of the French Illustrated Book, 7. See Lewine, 414 and Lowndes, 1862 (both recording 1733, incorrectly, as the date the first edition in English commenced publication). See Brunet I:1742. Bookplate in each volume, with owner name effaced. Early owner signature.

Light scuffs and discoloration to contemporary calf boards, some wear to corners. Text clean, engravings particularly fine with clean and clear impressions. An extremely good copy of this landmark work.