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The "Encyclopédie des Voyages" by Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur, initially published in issues and by subscription starting in 1792, represents a significant publishing venture and a unique cultural and historical testimony about the peoples of the world at the end of the 18th century. This work, illustrated with colorfully detailed engravings, stands out for its iconographic richness and the diversity of subjects covered, ranging from costumes to daily life, including religious traditions and the social practices of various peoples.

Born in Montreal and having arrived in France around 1785, Jacques Grasset de Saint-Sauveur quickly established himself as a notable figure in the publishing world of his time. His ambition was to offer his contemporaries an open window to the world, presenting them with as complete a vision as possible of the different cultures inhabiting it. The Encyclopedia of Travels, with its three hundred and one finely colored engraved plates and detailed descriptions, undoubtedly represents the pinnacle of this ambition.

The work, rare in its original complete version with its fifty installments and covers printed on ochre paper, is a treasure for bibliophiles and historians. It immerses us in a universe where travel and the discovery of the Other were experienced through stories and illustrations, at a time when means of transport and communication were limited. The plates, of exceptional quality, offer a precise glimpse into the costumes, as well as the rites and customs of peoples from around the world, drawn from nature.

The "Encyclopédie des Voyages" is more than just a collection of engravings and descriptions; it is a bridge between cultures, a testament to the curiosity and open-mindedness of the Age of Enlightenment. It highlights the importance of knowledge sharing and mutual discovery among peoples, values that, more than two centuries after its publication, remain more relevant than ever. In summary, this work is a gem of French publishing and cultural history, continuing to inspire and fascinate those interested in the diversity of the human world.