Description:
A monumental 18th-century French volume of ecclesiastical history, printed in elegant Roman type with engraved headers and richly marbled endpapers. Bound in full calf leather with gilt tooling and red-dyed page edges, these books embody the gravitas of Enlightenment-era scholarship.

Part of the Histoire Ecclésiastique, a vast work chronicling the history of the Church and its councils, this edition was printed in France during the mid-18th century. The typography retains the use of the long “ſ” and the marbled endpapers display the popular shell and nonpareil patterns of the era — both beloved details for collectors.

Though the bindings show significant wear from nearly 250 years of existence, the text remains legible and complete. These volumes are prized by both collectors of antiquarian works and decorators who seek authentic 18th-century presence in a room.

Why it matters:
Books of this scale and subject were once found only in the libraries of monasteries, universities, and serious scholars. Today, they serve as decorative artifacts of French intellectual and ecclesiastical history — a rare chance to own an original piece of the 1700s.

Dimensions: Large folio (approx. 12” x 8” x 3” per volume; confirm).
Condition: Heavy wear to bindings with losses; marbled papers and interiors beautifully preserved; pages complete.

Sold Individually. Please select your book:

XXVII with endpapers featuring a spectacular French shell-pattern or Œil de Paon marbling in crimson, ochre, and indigo — a style popular in the mid-18th century. Each page was created by hand, floating pigments on a marbler’s bath and drawing them into scalloped ‘shell’ forms with a fine comb. This vivid technique not only protected the binding from forgery but also added a flourish of artistry unique to every copy.

OR

XV with endpapers featuring an amazing Nonpareil Swirl. A swirling, storm-like effect where colors are scattered into veins and curls. This was achieved by sprinkling “gall” onto the marbling bath, breaking up the colors into veins before being combed or swirled. Developed in France in the 18th century, remained fashionable into the early 19th.

⚠️ Château Policy – This piece is timeless, not flawless and has been collected with care:
🇫🇷 Vintage and antique items will show the natural patina and wear of their age.
⚜️ Due to the uniqueness of our inventory, all sales are final. Please do not hesitate to ask the assistant if you have a question about something before purchasing.
🇫🇷 FREE SHIPPING WITH ALL ORDERS. Please inquire via The Assistant to arrange international shipping.