M. Guérin Du Rocher - Histoire véritable des tems fabuleux - 1776

Rare collection of this ambitious work, divided into three volumes, which presents itself as an erudite and critical attempt to trace the mythical origins of humanity by confronting them with the demands of true history.

Guérin Du Rocher explores the fabulous stories of ancient ages — cosmogonies, heroic legends, religious traditions, and founding myths — seeking to distinguish the plausible from the marvelous, the historical from the poetic.

The author adopts a rationalist and polemical stance, denouncing the excesses of the fable while recognizing the cultural and moral value of ancient traditions.

The three-volume structure allows for progression: the first focuses on the origins of the world and cosmogonic stories, the second on heroic cycles and fabulous dynasties, and the third on the transmission and distortions of myths in later cultures.

The whole illustrates the Enlightenment's tension between fascination with the imaginary and critical demand, while offering a broad fresco where the fable is reinterpreted as a material that is both alluring and suspect for the historian.

M. Guérin Du Rocher - True History of Fabulous Times - 1776 - Volumes I, II, and III - Charles-Pierre Berton
463 (1) f.- (1) f., 598, 640 pages -

Good condition of the bindings, volumes in their full mottled dark brown calf leather from the period, with signs of use, three rounded corners, some rubbed edges, slightly damaged headcaps, red edges, richly decorated spine with raised bands, gilded titles and volume numbers on maroon morocco labels.

Good interior condition, attractive headbands, tailpieces, and marbled endpapers in good condition.

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