Académie Française - Le Dictionnaire de l’Académie Françoise, dédié au Roy – Tome I (A–L) & Tome II (M–Z) - 1694

The Dictionary of the French Academy - First Edition (1694), 2 Volumes, Paris

Very rare and important first edition (1694) of the official dictionary of the French language, published under the authority of the Académie Française and dedicated to the King (Louis XIV).

Full title:

The Dictionary of the French Academy, dedicated to the King

Publisher: Jean-Baptiste Coignard, Paris

Year: 1694

Volumes: 2 volumes in folio

Tome I: A-L

Volume II: M-Z

Binding

Original 17th-century full leather binding with raised bands and gilt decoration on the spines and a large gilt royal coat of arms on the covers.

Illustrations:

Both volumes contain the original engraved frontispieces; text printed on handmade laid paper.

Condition:

Good / Fair condition for a 17th-century reference work.

Binding heavily worn with losses to leather and weakened hinges.

Spines worn but still holding.

Pages complete, no missing text.

Foxing, stains, and signs of age throughout.

Engravings included.

This is a genuine original set from 1694, not a later reprint.

A highly important milestone in the history of French lexicography.