- 86
[Montesquieu, Charles Louis de Secondat]
Estimate
3,500 - 5,000 USD
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Description
- De l'Esprit des Loix. Ou du rapport que les Loix doivent avoir avec la Constitution de chaque Gouvernment, les Moeurs, le Climat, le Religion, le Commerce, &c. Geneva: Chez Barrillot & Fils, [1748]
- ink,paper
Two volumes. 4to (231 x 188 mm). Half-titles in both volumes and all cancels as listed by Tchemerzine; occasional minor spots and browning, slip of manuscript notes tipped onto B4, another laid-in between Mm4/Mn. Contemporary mottled calf, spines gilt in compartments with morocco labels; re-cased with old paste-paper end-papers, joints repaired, spines a bit dry and chipped at extremities, some minor wear to covers.
Provenance
Dr. Hellersberg (bookplate)
Literature
Brunet III, 1859; Goldsmiths' 8375; Kress 4920; PMM 197; Tchemerzine VIII, 459.
Catalogue Note
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.
"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.