FERRERAS (JUAN) General history of Spain,... - Lot 234 - Osenat

FERRERAS (JUAN) General history of Spain, translated from the Spanish of Jean de Ferreras, enriched with historical & critical notes, intaglio vignettes, & geographical maps. By M. d'Hermilly. Paris, Gissey, Le Breton & Ganeau, 1751. 5 vols. in-4, marbled calf, spines richly decorated. (worn headbands and corners, some freckles in places) This is the most important work of this author. Spain, very fertile in historians, had already several histories for each province in particular. Ferreras took up their errors, corrected them, established an order in the chronology, rejected the writings and traditions mixed with fables and contradictions, rectified the facts, and gave the most exact, the most impartial and the most complete history that had appeared until now. His work goes back to the first origin of the Spanish peoples, and ends in 1589, four years before the surrender of Granada. It is divided into 24 parts. Each part has a preface that shows the plan that the author has followed, puts the work in a favorable light, and inspires the reader with complete confidence in the authenticity of the facts that will be presented to his eyes. It is by following this procedure, by rejecting apocryphal or contradictory facts, that he gives to his work this character of truth so precious.