[Montesquieu, Charles Louis de Secondat]

De L'Esprit des Loix. Ou du rapport que les Loix doivent avoir avec la Constitution de chaque Gouvernement, les Moeurs, le Climat, la Religion, le Commerce, &c. Geneva: chez Barrillot & Fils., [1748]



2 volumes, 4to (10 3/4 x 8 1/4 in.; 273 x 210 mm, uncut). Each volume with half-title and all blank leaves and cancels listed by Tchemerzine; marginal dampstain in vol. 1, quire Hhh, occasional minor spots or light browning. Contemporary mottled quarter-calf and marbled boards, gilt-stamped leather title labels on spines; upper joints cracking, corners and edges torn.

Tchemerzine VIII, 459; Kress 4920, PMM 197

First  edition of this classic in political economy which influenced the formation of the United States Constitution and was the ideological basis of the French Revolution. The work is remarkable as a whole for its comprehensiveness and for the complete freshness of its outlook as a study of the relationship between law and political institutions, customs, religion, climate and commerce.

"In many ways one of the most remarkable works of the eighteenth century ... The most distinctive aspect of this immense syllabus is its moderation; a quality not designed to achieve official approval in 1748" (PMM). Criticized at the time, the work was placed on the Index of Prohibited Books.