Diderot Encyclopedia 1785 huge 247 Plate Collection Locksmithing Gun Powder book

(Old Books, 18th Century Books, Leather Books, French Books, Illustrated Books, Encyclopedia).

Recueil de Planches De L'Encyclopedie, Par Ordre de Matieres. Tome Quatrieme.
Published 1785, Paris by Pankoucke.
c. 500 pages. Text in French. Profusely illustrated throughout with 247 detailed copper engraved plates (of which 47 are double page). All plates in this volume, no text.

The themes of the plates include: Lock smithing, gun powder manufacture, wood turning, paper making, pottery & porcelain, painting of buildings, salt manufacturing, mining, various arts related to manufacturing and industry, etc.

Antiquarian full leather binding, raised bands. A plate volume priced at a very low price per plate.

Book is physically old and shows some signs of handling and time. 

Binding heavily age worn but still appealing, spine leather perished/ lacking, covers dried and heavily scuffed with loss along edges and tips, remains overall attractive as an object.

Text block paper is gently age toned as typical, internally book remains mostly clean, tight and sound. A book which has been taken care of but may/ does not look like new.

Still attractive on the shelf. Book displays a pleasing and unique age patina and is in rather nice antiquarian condition, any age flaws seem easy to overlook or forgive. 

Please review photos for more detailed attempt to present this plate book as it survives. 

We often over-describe any flaws that many sellers would not even bother to mention since most people would overlook them as minor and unworthy of comment. Many people tell us the books they receive from us are nicer in person than they appears on the screen. We want you to be clear about what you are buying, so we take numerous photos and try to describe it openly and honestly.

Book Measures c. 12 1/4" H x 9" W.

[B9542].