Dissertation Critique Sur La Vision de Constantin
Paris: Du Puis, 1774. First Edition. A pre-revolutionary French analysis of the Vision of Constantine, where he saw a sign of the cross and used that image successfully in the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. Constantine subsequently supported the establishment of Christianity as an official church within the Roman Empire leading to the establishment of the Catholic Church, the formation of the New Testament, and the original Church Councils. Bound in original/contemporary boards with a sympathetically replaced leather spine and red label with gilded lettering. Supportive and strong repairs to corners. Chatsworth bookplate on front pastedown. Old ink signature on ffep. Toning to end papers. The original publisher information is covered by a contemporary and precisely made piece of paper adhered over just the publisher's information appearing to update the information to, "Chez J. F. Bastien, Libraire, rue du Petit Lyon, Fauxbourg S. Germain." The original publisher's information is visible underneath this paper when looking through the verso. Unable to verify, but likely this is due to where it was published, vs. where this copy was then to be sold. The interior is gently aged with minor and even toning, very limited spotting, the text if bold and bright. Text is predominately in French with some quotes of early historians in Latin and Greek.
Pages: (6) 331 (3) Dimensions: 6(5/8) x 4(3/16) x (7/8). Very Good. Item #5749
Price: $145.00