Godfried Arnold / Jan Luyken – Waare Afbeelding der Eerste Christenen – Complete suite of engravings – 1700/1701 Engelse beschrijving Godfried Arnold – Waare Afbeelding der Eerste Christenen, volgens hun Leevendig Geloof, en Heylig Leeven – Amsterdam, 1700–1701 – 2 parts in 1 volume – richly illustrated by Jan Luyken First Dutch edition of Gottfried Arnold's important history of early Christianity, translated from the German by Willem Séwel and published in Amsterdam. A particularly attractive feature of this copy is the complete series of 46 engraved plates, each containing two separate scenes: 92 engraved representations in total. The volume furthermore contains the large allegorical engraved title/frontispiece plates belonging to the work. The engravings are principally by the celebrated Amsterdam artist Jan Luyken (1649–1712) and depict scenes from the lives, worship, persecution, baptism, customs and history of the early Christians. The engraved title to the second part is signed “J. Luyken” and dated MDCCI (1701). Both parts retain their red-and-black printed title pages with the engraved IMMOTA MANET device. Interestingly, the printed title page of the second part is dated MDCC (1700), while its signed allegorical title engraving is dated MDCCI (1701). Illustrations: Complete suite of 46 double-scene engraved plates (92 scenes), together with the engraved allegorical title/frontispiece plates. No plates are missing. Condition: Bound in a later black cloth binding with signs of age and use. Interior generally well preserved for a book of this age, with occasional browning, spotting, staining and other normal traces of use. The engravings are generally strong and attractive impressions. Important bibliographical note: The second part in this copy terminates at page 516, with the printed conclusion: “EYNDE des laatsten Boeks van de Afbeeldinge der eerste Christenen.” Bibliographical descriptions of the complete edition record the second part as continuing to page 568 with additional concluding leaves. Consequently, the final textual portion is lacking in this copy. This has been taken into account in the description. Crucially, however, the complete engraved illustration series is present, including all 46 double-scene plates. A substantial early Dutch illustrated work and an especially interesting example for collectors of Jan Luyken, early Christianity and Dutch book illustration around 1700 Book 1 - 707 pp. Book 2 - 516 pp.