Catherine II, Empress.

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Description

The Grand Instructions to the Commissioners Appointed to Frame a New Code of Laws... translated... by Michael Tatischeff. London: T. Jefferys, 1768, 4to (284 x 221mm.), contemporary calf, gilt floral roll border, spine in seven compartments gilt including a number of flower's head tools, the second with gilt title on red morocco label, edges red, spotting to pages, small inkmarks on endpapers, spine rebacked, corners repaired

Ibid. Réglements de Sa Majesté Impériale Cathérine II, pour l'Administration des Gouvernements de l'Empire des Russies. Liege: C. Plomteux, 1777, 8vo (224 x 162mm.), modern quarter calf by the Period Binders, Bath, gilt title to spine, small tears particularly to initial leaves, loss to title and a2 repaired, pages slightly soiled

Catalogue Note

As soon as Catherine (1729-1796) came to the throne in June 1762, she promised great projects of reform. She drew up a document, based largely on the writings of Beccaria and Montesquieu, to serve as a guide for an enlightened code of laws. In 1767 she summoned a legislative commission to put this guide into law, but disbanded this commission before it could complete the code.