BAYLE, Peter [or Pierre] (1647-1706). The Dictionary Historical and Critical.

BAYLE, Peter (or Pierre) (1647-1706). The Dictionary Historical and Critical … The Second Edition … To which is prefixed, The Life of the Author, revised, corrected, and enlarged by Mr. des Maizeaux. London: Printed for J. J. and P. Knapton (and many others), 1734-38. 5 volumes, folio (353 x 230mm). Half titles, engraved portrait of the author engraved by Samuel Smith, titles printed in red and black with woodcut ornaments. Contemporary calf (heavily rubbed and scuffed, joints split). Provenance: From the Library of the late Sir George Engle. Cf. Brunet I, 269; PMM 155 (citing the first edition of Rotterdam, 1695-97): “Bayle championed reason against belief, philosophy against religion, tolerance against superstition … For over half a century … Bayle’s Dictionnaire enlightened thinking in every part of Europe.” (5)