Portraits And History Of Useful Men. Men And Women Of All Conditions. 1836-1837

With the modernization of printing methods, the 19th century saw the greatest expansion of journalistic, literary, and scientific publications. Numerous hybrid, somewhat experimental works, resembling dictionaries, were published at the request of Parisian or local learned societies. It was in this vein that the Montyon and Franklin society embarked, over several years, on a census of people renowned for their positive contributions to society, under the title "Portrait and History of Useful Men," with the interesting subtitle: men and women of all countries and all walks of life. This laudable desire for universalism, transcending borders and genders, is a legacy of the Enlightenment. The figures described in a few pages and accompanied by an engraving are either living or from centuries past, all having contributed to good and progress in their respective fields. The aim is to bring these worthy men and women to the attention of all. Approximately one hundred engravings accompany the commentary, allowing readers to put a face to these names. This is a multi-year publication, and this is the complete series. It has a period binding with a beige leather spine, a green glass label, and is decorated with small tools. The covers are made of cardboard. There are a few damp stains (particularly on the small overlays protecting the engravings), but otherwise, it is in very good and sturdy condition.