Dictionnaire de la Provence et du Comte-Venaissin, dédié Mgr le Maréchal Prince de Beauvau, par une société de gens de lettres. [2 vols.] by Achard, Claude-Francois - 1785

Marseille, France: Jean Mossy, 1785. Book. Very Good. Hardcover. First Edition. 4to - over 9¾ - 12" tall. Two quarto volumes, bound in original 18th century tree calf with two leather spine labels on each volume, gilt decorated spines and raised bands. Text in French and Provencal. 732 and 654 pages respectively. First editions. These books represent the first two volumes of Achard's encyclopedic work on Provence, published 1785-1788. Volume I is the dictionary "Francois-Provencal", the first published Occitan theme dictionary; volume II, "Provencal-Francois" is the second published work thus after that of Father Pellas in 1723. [The latter four volumes consisted of "A History of the Illustrious Men of Provence" (vols. III & IV, 1786-87) and "Historical, Geographical and Topographical Description of Cities, Towns, Villages and Hamlets of Ancient and Modern Provence" (vols. V & VI, 1787-88)]. A nice unsophisticated set of a rare example of these 18th century vocabularies in their original bindings. Margins browned on half-title and title-page of volume I, some cracking of calf on outer joints and general rubbing and wear to covers, largely at extremities and head of spine on volume II. Interiors are clean, with pages still supple and covers sound and tight. A rare set in very good condition. Priority and International orders will require additional postage, calculated as close to actual cost as possible. .