Adams, John | First French edition of a vital work for an emerging republic

Adams, John

Défense des Constitutions américaines, ou, de la nécessité d'une balance dans les pouvoirs d'un gouvernement libre. Paris: Chez Buisson, 1792

2 volumes, 8vo (197 x 124 mm). Half-titles; a fresh, bright copy. Contemporary French paste paper boards, vellum-tipped corners, smooth mottled calf spines gilt, red and green lettering and numbering pieces; some worm damage to joints. 

First French edition, issued at a crucial moment in that country's history, as the Revolution was becoming more radical. In 1792 the French Assembly stripped Louis XVI of his power and declared him a prisoner of the nation. They called together the Convention, in order to draft a new constitution to replace that of 1791. Adams's treatise explaining and defending the principles of the constitutions of the government of the United States would have been a timely and informative work for the emerging French government.

With the engraved calling card of Jean-Jacques-Basilien Gassendi (1746–1828), count and pair of France, who was a lieutenant (later major) general and parliamentarian during the Revolution, and under the First Empire and Restoration.

PROVENANCE

Jean-Jacques-Basilien Gassendi (engraved calling card loosely laid in volume 1)

REFERENCE:

Howes A60; Sabin 237