DIDEROT (Denis) and D'ALEMBERT (Jean Le Rond) : Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des Sciences, des Arts et des métiers, par une société de gens de lettres, mis en ordre & publié par M. DIDEROT ; & quant à la partie mathématiques par M. D'ALEMBERT. Genève, Pellet, 1777-1779. 39 volumes (complete). With Table analytique et raisonnée des matières contenues dans les XXXIX volumes in-quarto du Dictionnaire des Sciences, des Arts et des Métiers. Lyon, amable Leroy, 1780-1781. 6 volumes. 45 volumes in all. 19 by 25.5 cm. Contemporary half vellum, black titles, with fine handmade paper on boards. Copy in poor condition. Some damage to spines, sometimes dusty, and to title-pieces, some corners crushed. Marginal staining on several volumes, not serious, more pronounced on volume 6 and on the false titles. A few rare fine wormholes, on a few pages and always in the margins. Volumes of plates: Volume 1: spine absent, spotting, more pronounced on the last quarter of the volume. 3 plates damaged (Marine section). Volume 2: Very good condition. Volume 3: Slight marginal spotting, not serious. Volume 1 includes 181 plates, 10 of which are not mentioned in the table of engravings. Volume 2 contains 197 engravings. Volume 3 contains 139 engravings. The collation corresponds to the tables of engravings indicated in the work. Complete. One clock plate bound at the end of volume 36. Several folding tables in the text volumes. Portrait of DIDEROT at the head of volume 1. Third edition, in-4 format, of this formidable work, which revolutionised the dissemination of knowledge in Europe, spreading the spirit of the Enlightenment. 36 volumes of text, 6 volumes of tables, and three volumes of plates. It is rare to find a copy complete with tables...