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London: G. G. and J. Robinson, 1800, part set, 6 volumes of 9. Six Volumes in half calf leather binding with faded marbled boards. Very worn in their original bindings but structurally reasonable and holding with cracked or cracking joints, text blocks intact with no missing pages. Lacking volumes 1, 2 and 5. Louis-Pierre Anquetil (21 February 1723 6 September 1808) was a French historian. He was born in Paris on 21 February 1723. In 1741, he joined the religious community of the Génofévains, where he took holy orders and became professor of theology and literature. Later, he became rector of the seminary at Reims, where he published the 3-volume "Civil and Political History of Reims" (French: Histoire civile et politique de Reims), in 1756 and 1757. In 1759, he was appointed prior of the abbey de la Roe in Anjou; shortly thereafter he became director of the college of Senlis. While there, he composed a history of France in the 16th and 17th centuries (Esprit de la Ligue, ou histoire politique des troubles de France pendant les XVIe et XVIIe siècles) published in 1767. The year before, he had obtained the curacy or priory of Chateau-Renard near Montargis. He also became a member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres. At the beginning of the French Revolution, he moved to the curacy of La Villette near Paris but, during the Reign of Terror, he was imprisoned at St-Lazare. While there, he began his summary of world history (Précis de l'histoire universelle), afterwards published in nine volumes. On the establishment of the National Institute, he was elected as a 2nd-class member of the Academy of Moral and Political Science. He was also employed by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an experience which informed his treatment of the last three kings of the Ancient Regime (Motifs des guerres et des traités de paix sous Louis XIV, Louis XV, Louis XVI). He is said to have been asked by Napoleon to write his 14-volume "History of France" (Histoire de France, 1805). Augustin Thierry criticized the work as "cold and colourless", and mentioned that Anquetil compared unfavorably to other noted French historians. The work was compiled at second or third hand and censurable in many respects but went through numerous editions and made Anquetil famous. It was continued by Adolphe Bouillet in 6 more volumes. He died on 6 September 1808. His younger brother Abraham was a famous orientalist. Approximately 8 ½ inches tall. Condition Report Externally Spine poor condition all volumes gilt titles, 7 gilt bands and gilt volume numbers, Vol. 3 has a crack the full length of the spine, there is part missing at the bottom with the stitching showing, top is also bruised, Vol. 4 bruised top an tail, Vol. 6 part of the spine is missing at the top so only half the title can be seen, also badly bruised top and tail, Vol. 7 bruised top and tail, Vol. 8 has some cracking to the spine and is bruised top and tail, Vol. 9 bruised top and tail with some leather missing. Joints poor condition all joints on all volume are cracked, however, Vols. 8 and 9 aren t quite as bad as the others. Corners fair condition bumped and worn on all volumes. Boards fair condition half leather/marbled boards with gilt dividing lines, the paper has started to peel away from the boards, each volume has some of the marbled paper rubbed off. Page edges good condition. See above and photos. Internally Hinges fair condition Vol. 3 both hinges are cracked and daylight can be seen in places, Vol. 4 front hinge is cracked and the leather can be seen, Vol. 6 front hinge is cracked the full length and is hanging on by the threads, the rear hinge is cracked and daylight can been seen at the top, Vol. 7 front and rear hinges are starting to crack, Vol. 8 both hinges are starting to crack, Vol. 9, both hinges starting to crack but intact. Paste downs good condition the front paste downs in all volumes have evidence of a library plate being attache. Seller Inventory # ABE-1547057017597
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