Uebersetzung der Algemeinen Welthistorie die in Engeland durch eine Geselschaft von Gelehrten ausgefertiget worden. Nebst Anmerkungen der holländischen Uebersetzung. By Siegmund Jakob Baumgarten et al.. Halle: J. J. Gebauer, 1755-1793
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A extremely rare run of this monumental publication, which, due to its long publication period, is practically always found only in small parts or individual volumes. The model for this work was the Universal History mentioned in the title, published in a similar scope in London and translated into several European languages. Until volume 17, the world history was edited by Baumgarten (referred to as “the crown of German scholars” by Voltaire, ADB II, 161); from volume 18, J. S. Semler continued the series up to and including volume 30. Subsequent volumes were edited by individual or multiple editors. We can trace only single volumes currently available for sale, typically in excess of £250 per volume. The only almost complete set we can trace having ever sold achieved $9,270 in 2013 at auction in Germany.
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Size: 192 x 232 mm (approx., each)
*one volume slightly larger
Condition:
Contemporary full calf, uniform across 19 vols, with the one larger volume being in quarter calf over marbled paper backed boards. Bindings a little rubbed, some minor loss of legibility to a few title labels, but generally very attractive indeed on the shelf. An incomplete non-consecutive run across a wide time period of almost four decades. Internally very clean throughout, fully legible. Uncollated, but each volume appears to be complete. Most volumes are without any illustrations aside from the frontispieces and occasionally engraved head/tail pieces, but a few volumes contain other plates.
[Graesse III, 309; Ebert 9860].
