KNIGHTS TEMPLAR & KNIGHTS HOSPITALLER — 13 VOLUME COLLECTION

Eighteenth-Century Leather-Bound Histories — 1753–1779
The Weddell / Virginia House Collection
VERTOT — HISTOIRE DES CHEVALIERS HOSPITALIERS
VERTOT — THE HISTORY OF THE KNIGHTS HOSPITALIERS
HISTOIRE DE L'ABOLITION DE L'ORDRE DES TEMPLIERS
PROVENANCE
CONDITION

An impressive collection of thirteen eighteenth-century volumes devoted to the Knights Hospitaller, Knights of Rhodes, Knights of Malta and Knights Templar, retaining their period leather bindings and distinguished American institutional provenance.

At the heart of the collection is Abbé René-Aubert de Vertot's celebrated history of the Knights Hospitaller of St John of Jerusalem, represented by both its French and English editions.

Paris, 1753–1755 — Seven Volumes

A complete seven-volume married set in contemporary mottled tan sheep, richly gilt compartmented spines, morocco title labels, red-stained page edges and marbled endpapers.

The work chronicles the famous military and religious order founded as the Knights Hospitaller of St John of Jerusalem and subsequently known as the Knights of Rhodes and Knights of Malta.

Edinburgh, 1757 — Five Volumes

The English-language edition of Vertot's monumental history.

Five volumes in contemporary sheep bindings with morocco spine labels and pale-blue stained edges.

Paris: Belin & Besongne, 1779 — FIRST EDITION

An important contemporary account of the suppression of the Knights Templar, complete with half-title and the royal privilege dated 9 September 1778.

Bound in contemporary mottled brown sheep with richly gilt spine, maroon morocco title label, red-stained edges and marbled endpapers.

The original French edition is independently bibliographically recorded as published by Belin in Paris in 1779.

The Collection of Ambassador Alexander Weddell and Mrs Weddell, Richmond, Virginia

Deaccessioned by The Virginia House Museum to benefit future preservation, acquisitions and care of its collections.

The volumes retain institutional library markings and bookplates associated with their former collection history.

Authentic eighteenth-century condition with rubbing, scuffing and wear to the leather bindings, occasional worn or starting joints, historical repairs, scattered foxing and minor staining. Ex-library markings and bookplates are present.

The French seven-volume set is a married set comprising editions dated 1753 and 1755.

Despite their age-related wear, the books form a particularly attractive and historically evocative collection of 13 genuine eighteenth-century leather-bound volumes spanning 1753–1779.