Histoire Critique de Manichee et du Manicheisme. Par M. de Beausobre. Amsterdam: J. Frederick Bernard, 1734, 4to.
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First edition of this important book which forms the earliest comprehensive account of Manichaeism, a dualistic religious movement of Late Antiquity. Isaac de Beausobre, a French Huguenot scholar and theologian exiled to Berlin, brought a groundbreaking critical approach to the sources, challenging centuries of ecclesiastical distortions while maintaining a Protestant theological framework. His meticulous analysis spanned patristic texts, early accounts of Mani's life, and Manichaean doctrines and practices, presenting an account "free from prejudice and ecclesiastical slander" (Encyclopaedia Iranica).
Volume one includes the author’s epistle and preface, where he refutes libertine misuse of heretical writings to undermine the New Testament's authenticity, while Volume two, published posthumously, was edited by Samuel Formey and features an eulogy of Beausobre, which is lacking here, as often.
Brunet describes this as a "highly esteemed work." It remains rare and much sought after for its immense scholarship and significance in Christian/religious studies and has been reprinted twice in the 1980s.
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Size: 204 x 258 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[(2), a1, ♰1-2, *1-9*4, 10*2, A1-4F1, (2)]
Later full vellum without external identification. A few marks/discolouration to the binding. Binding secure with both boards securely attached. New endpapers, but retaining the original blanks. No attached bookplates or ownership inscriptions. Some marginal dampstaining to the upper margin, largely imperceptible after the first four leaves, but continuing throughout very faintly, not affecting legibility of text. Generally clean throughout. Collates as complete, including the very extensive preliminary section. One volume only, of two, as often. Roman pagination ends at pp.594.
[Brunet I, 723].
