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Details
MONTESQUIEU, Charles de Secondat, Baron de (1689-1755). De l'Esprit des Loix. Geneva: Barrillot & Fils, [1748].
The true first edition of 'one of the most remarkable works of the eighteenth century' (PMM). The present copy has all cancels and the double 'r' spelling of the printer on the title-page as described by Tchemerzine. In De l'Esprit des Loix, Montesquieu sets out his theory for government by limited monarchy with civil liberties well safeguarded, a vision that proved to be highly influential and became the underlying philosophy behind the American and French revolutions. Montesquieu divides his work into six main sections touching on general law and forms of government, military arrangement and taxation, economics and religion, Roman, French and feudal law, and a peculiar discussion on the effects of climate and geography on national character. Written over a period of 20 years, L'esprit was widely circulated throughout France, but it was soundly attacked by the Jansenists, the Jesuits, and the censors. PMM 197 ('...the United States Constitution in particular is a lasting tribute to the principles he advocated'); Tchemerzine IV 929.
2 volumes, quarto (251 x 197mm). Half-titles, errata leaves at end of both vols (occasional insignificant scattered spotting, most heavily affecting first 3 leaves of vol. 2, some variable minor light browning). Contemporary mottled calf, gilt spines, marbled edges (extremities lightly rubbed, headcap to vol. 1 more heavily rubbed and fractionally chipped). Provenance: 'J.D.' (booklabel) – evidence of bookplate removed.
The true first edition of 'one of the most remarkable works of the eighteenth century' (PMM). The present copy has all cancels and the double 'r' spelling of the printer on the title-page as described by Tchemerzine. In De l'Esprit des Loix, Montesquieu sets out his theory for government by limited monarchy with civil liberties well safeguarded, a vision that proved to be highly influential and became the underlying philosophy behind the American and French revolutions. Montesquieu divides his work into six main sections touching on general law and forms of government, military arrangement and taxation, economics and religion, Roman, French and feudal law, and a peculiar discussion on the effects of climate and geography on national character. Written over a period of 20 years, L'esprit was widely circulated throughout France, but it was soundly attacked by the Jansenists, the Jesuits, and the censors. PMM 197 ('...the United States Constitution in particular is a lasting tribute to the principles he advocated'); Tchemerzine IV 929.
2 volumes, quarto (251 x 197mm). Half-titles, errata leaves at end of both vols (occasional insignificant scattered spotting, most heavily affecting first 3 leaves of vol. 2, some variable minor light browning). Contemporary mottled calf, gilt spines, marbled edges (extremities lightly rubbed, headcap to vol. 1 more heavily rubbed and fractionally chipped). Provenance: 'J.D.' (booklabel) – evidence of bookplate removed.
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