Description
[LITERATURE]
Le Grand vocabulaire français.
Paris. Published by C. Panckoucke, 1767–1774.
30 volumes, in-4°. Contemporary full binding in marbled sheepskin. Ribbed spine, decorated with gilt metalwork and fleurons.
A well-used copy, in worn condition. With the usual defects to the joints, which are often broken, and to the headbands and footbands. Cracked corners.
The series is complete.
It has not been collated.
Despite Panckoucke’s apparent reticence regarding it, this compendium occupies a very significant place in the history of dictionaries published in France. Firstly, it provides a better understanding of the encyclopaedic zeal that would drive Panckoucke throughout his life, from the purchase of the rights to Diderot and d’Alembert’s *Encyclopédie* to the publication of his famous *Encyclopédie Méthodique* (1782–1832). Secondly, it sheds further light on the ideological and scientific dispute that pitted the grammarian-philosophers of the Encyclopédie against the Jesuits of Trévoux.
Part universal dictionary, part language dictionary and part grammatical dictionary, the *Grand Vocabulaire François* is a reference work of genuine scientific originality. By including proper names, providing a diachronic description of the language and offering a systematic organisation of the lexical entries’ prosodic and phonetic features, this landmark of French lexicography thus refutes the accusations of plagiarism levelled against it and establishes itself as an overlooked link in the development of knowledge about the language.
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About the sale
Bibliophilia – A fine selection of antique and modern books
Auction location
Auction time
10/15/2026 at 1:00 PM
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