Dictionarium historicum, criticum, chronologicum, geographicum, et literale Sacrae Scripturae [Historical, Critical, Chronological, Geographical … Dictionary of the Sacred Scriptures]. Venice: Sebastianum Coleti, 1766. Latin. Two volumes.
Collection of alphabetically ordered articles, dealing with history, archeology, geography and other biblical subjects, by Augustin Calmet (1672-1757) – a French Catholic theologist, historian and biblical scholar. Calmet was a pioneer of the scientific study of the bible and his studies serves as a basis for scholars until the 19th century.
The dictionary contains 30 engraved plates: five maps of Jerusalem, Palestine and the Middle East and 25 engravings depicting the Temple vessels, the Ark of the Covenant and the altar, the High Priest, various coins, and more.
Volume I: XII, 144, 616 pp + [7] engraved plates (one folded) + [4] folded engraved maps. Volume II: 676 (i.e. 680) pp + [18] engraved plates (one folded) + [1] engraved map. 36 cm. Good overall condition. A few stains. Creases, tears and open tears, most of them to the margins. A tear along the length of one of the maps. Uneven edges. Cardboard binding with leather spine, slightly rubbed and damaged.