A Critical History of the Establishment of the Bretons Among the Gauls, and of Their Dependence Upon the Kings of France, and Dukes of Normandy ( 2 volumes in 1)
London: for W. Taylor, 1722. First Edition. Octavo. Item #025901
Volume I: 356 pages, Volume 2: 243 pages. The rare study by the abbe De Vertot who challenged the ancient Breton legends which he said were based on later historians. The ancient legends of Merlin, King Arthur and the Knights of the Roundtable are all challenged. Modern French historians from Michelet, Thierry and Mignet have challened but never quite gotten beyond his insights into ancient Gaul and its history. These volumes printed in a small print run became scarce as early as 1816 when two rare booksellers noted they now had copies in their catalog. The 1910 Green auction had them. One of the most scarce of the early 18th century histories of Brittany. OCLC notes it was translated from the French but printed at Paris and in the same year distributed by W. Taylor a London publisher with a preface by John Henley to Sir Peter King, the Chief Justice, explaining the reason for this unique and to many a troubling book. Bound in full calf, handsomely rebacked to style, olive green leather label gilt, corners worn through, very early small bookplate without name. Very nice wide margined copy.
Price: $625.00