
Description
(Pluche, N.A.).
Histoire du Ciel, Ou l'on recherche l'origine de l'idolatrie, et les meprises de la philosophie,
Sur la formation des corps celestes & de toute la nature.
Paris, Freres Estienne, 1765
2 volumes
(4),518,(2),XXXV,(3); (4),515[ 537],(1)pp.,
Engraved frontispiece, 24 engr. plates
Original uniformed marbled calf, ribbed gilt spine with red morocco letterpiece
- Both vols. with library stamp on first free endpaper/ half-title;
Some wear of bindings, very good interior
Cf. Dorbon-Aine 3689-3691; Rosenthal 2273; Caillet 8755-8756; Barbier II, p.775 (all mentioning other editions).
Noel Antoine Pluche (1688-1761) was director of the French College at Lyon until his refusal to adhere to the 'Unigenitus Bull' (published on September 8th 1713).
Condemnation of 101 theses from the book 'Reflexions morales sur le Nouveau Testament' by Quesnel forced him to resign. "Pluche restated his opposition to the cosmologies proposed by the physicists.
He also attempted to demonstrate that monotheism preceded polytheism" (DSB IX, p.44).
The first volume is devoted mostly to Egyptian mythology, and seems based on Wharburton's studies of hieroglyphics.
The second volume is a chronological review of creation theories.
"Ouvrage utile à toute personne s'occupant de l'occulte; on y trouve des renseignements precieux. Il est ainsi divise: le zodiaque, l'ecriture symbolique, les ceremonies symboliques, la theogonie, la divination, les principes d'alchimie" (Caillet).
"Useful work for anyone dealing with the occult; there is valuable information there. It is divided as follows: the zodiac, symbolic writing, symbolic ceremonies, theogony, divination, the principles of alchemy" (Caillet).
Size 4 1/8 by 6 1/2 inches
Text in French
Reserve: $349.00
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1765 OCCULT illustrated ORIGIN of IDOLATRY ANCIENT MYTHS BELIEFS antique 2 VOLS
Estimate $400-$500
Starting Price
$170
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Ink of Ages: 15th-19th Century Antique Books
Feb 12, 2026 9:00 AM ESTNew York, NY, United States
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