1700 – First Christians – Gottfried Arnold | Early Christian Church, Illustrated

Gottfried Arnold was a 17th-century Lutheran theologian remembered for his historical treatises. This 1700 first edition of ‘Waare Afbeelding der Eerste Christenen’ is one of the best books on the history of the early Christians and early Christian Church. It is illustrated with 26 incredible copper engravings depicting the treatment of Christians, and describes scenes of martyrs being boiled, burned alive, beaten, and decapitated. These illustrations are of John Luyken and Joseph Mulder.

This 1700 edition is the first Dutch edition of Arnold’s famous work. Translated into Dutch by William Séwel.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Waare Afbeelding Der Erste Christenen : Volgens hun Leevendig Geloof, en Heylig Leeven
• Author(s): Gottfried Arnold
• Illustrator(s): John Luyken and Joseph Mulder
• Contributor(s): William Sewel (Translator)
• Publisher: T’Amsterdam: Jacobus van Hardenburg, Barent Visscher, en Jacobus van Nieuweveen
• Edition: 1700–1701.
• Binding: Full leather
• Format: Folio, two volumes
• Size:  ~12.75 in x 8.75 in (33 cm x 22 cm)
• Collation:
  • Vol. 1: [22], 707, [11] pp
  • Vol. 2: [6], 568, [12] pp
• Illustrations: 46 engraved plates
• Contents Include:
  • Accounts of early Christian communities
  • Descriptions of persecution and martyrdom
  • Religious practices and beliefs
  • Engraved scenes depicting historical episodes

Condition:

Good. Full leather bindings are secure across both volumes. Corners and edges show wear and rubbing. Pages show moderate age toning. Text remains legible and engravings are clean.

Why Collect This?

• Early eighteenth-century work on Christian history
• Dutch translation by William Sewel
• Contains numerous engraved plates

Item Number: # 50659