IMHOF, Andréas Lazarus Von and GUEUDEVILLE, Nicolas (Trad.). Le Grand Théâtre historique ou Nouvelle Histoire universelle, tant sacrée que profane, depuis la création du monde jusqu'au commencement du XVIIIe siècle. Published in Leide by Pierre Vander in 1703. 3 volumes in-folio, full brown speckled calf, ribbed spines underlined by a gilt frieze, flowered caissons, title and tomaison on red morocco, guilloche headpieces, double gilt filleting on the edges, marbled edges (period binding). 20 ff. and 544 pages in columns (2 columns per page), 742 pp. ; 478 pp., 620 pp. ; 770 pp. and 80 ff. with 1 frontispiece engraved by Baptiste after Elliger, a dedication to Fred. Giuilm. Bor. et Brande engraved in double-page by Vianen after Goeree, a folding world map by P. Vander Aa, 11 full-page portraits of emperors, 2 folding plates by Romain de Hooghe (Siege and capture of Amida and Battle of the emperor Julian near Strasbourg) and 556 engraved figures in the text. Title printed in black and red, adorned with an engraved vignette. Text on two columns. Rubbing, snagging at lower head of volume I and upper head of volume III, tiny wormholes, light spotting and scuffing on boards, corners and some edges dulled. 3 loose leaves at the beginning of volume 2, some spotting, slight traces of dampstaining and browning, missing lower right-hand part of some titles (consolidated by a laminated page on verso). Generally fresh inside. First edition of Nicolas Gueudeville's free translation of Andreas-Lazarus von Imhof's German. This exceptional work provides a condensed history of the world, from its beginnings to its publication; the title states that the work covers the first 4 monarchies, the Assyrians, the Persians, the Greeks and the Romans, as well as the monarchies that succeeded them, the beginnings of the Jewish people, the continuation of Roman history, the popes and ecclesiastical history, all treated chronologically. The text is accompanied by equally masterly illustrations, including a world map and two fold-out plates (depicting the siege and capture of Amida and the battle of Emperor Julian near Strasbourg), 9 full-page portraits of emperors and 556 third-page figures depicting a variety of lively historical scenes (looting, battles, beheadings, torture, naval battles, etc.). At the end of the 5th volume is a table containing some 600 names of the most illustrious popes, emperors, kings, princes, great captains, illustrious characters, battles and places cited. An exceptional work, both in terms of text and illustration, here complete with the 5 volumes in 3 well-established volumes in elegant contemporary full calf bindings.