All books from A. Gerits & Son b.v. - Antiquarian booksellers

(ABEILLE, L.P. & J.G. MONTAUDOUIN DE LA TOUCHE.)

A Rennes, Chez J. Vatar; A Paris, Chez la Veuve de B. Brunet, 1760-1772. With engraved frontispiece and 4 engraved plates. 2 volumes. xxxviii, 38, 284, (6) pp.; viii, 392, (8) pp. 8vo. Contemporary marbled calf, richly gilt spines with raised bands and gilt lettering, with the gilt stamped armes of the États de Bretagne on the covers, slightly rubbed. INED 1-2 & 3243-3244 lists different issues but no second volume with the date 1772; Higgs 2179 & 5423; Goldsmiths 37378 & 10838.1; Einaudi 48 & 49; not in Kress; not in Mattioli. One of at least two editions for volume one from the year of publication, the other being in 12mo and with a completely different collation. The 12mo edition has no frontispiece and three plates. First edition of volume one, second edition of volume two, all published. The second volume is identical to the volume published in 1762 but for the date on the title-page. Louis-Paul Abeille was an economist of the Physiocratic school, inspector-general of manufactures in France and later secretary to the council of the bureau of commerce. Montaudouin was a lawyer from Nantes. These reports were the only ones published although a third report was planned. The Société d'Agriculture was the first society of this type established in France, founded through Gournay's influence. Its members were to examine the state of agriculture, commerce and manufacturing industry. For the arms see: Olivier, Hermal and Roton, Reliures Armoriées Françaises, plate 1576, nr 3.

(ACCARIAS DE SERIONNE, J.)

A Paris, Chez Desain (Leiden, Luzac), 1767. 4 volumes. (8), 411, (1) pp.; (4), 343, (1) pp.; (4), 331, (1) pp.; (4), 396 pp. 12mo. Contemporary marbled calf, spines richly gilt in compartments, red labels with gilt lettering, marbled edges, small damage to front joint of vol. 4. Higgs 4071; INED 12; Sabin 3726; Einaudi 55; Echeverria & Wilkie 767/2; JFBL A32; not in Kress (cf.: 6310); not in Goldsmiths. Second edition, originally published in 1766. In this his principal work Serionne rejected the Physiocratic theories of production and taxation; he also refused to accept the prevailing opinion that the population of France was diminishing rapidly. He strongly believed that the discovery of America had stimulated European agriculture and industry, improving levels of employment and that colonial commerce had itself contributed to an increase in the population of Europe (See: Spengler, French Predecessors of Malthus, pp. 315-321). After having run into serious difficulties in France, the author was forced to leave France. This edition with the 'Paris' imprint was apparently destined for export from Holland. - Half-title and first blanks slightly loose at foot in volume one, a very fine copy, with bookplate of G. de Ste Marguerite, very likely belonging to the family of De Bonnet, seigneurs de la Baume, de Saint-Marguerite et de Costefrède.

(AGIER, P.J.)

(Paris, 1788.) 3 parts in 1 volume. 84 pp.; 37 pp.; (2), 208 pp. 8vo. Modern half morocco, marbled boards, gilt lettering to spine. Not in Kress; not in Goldsmiths; Martin & Walter, 56. All published. For the third part a titlepage was issued, which is present in this copy. The drop-head title of this third part reads: Du pouvoir de la nation dans la formation des loix.

AMBROSINO, T.

Mediolani, Ex Officina Typogr. quon Pacifici Pontii, 1600. (16), 240, (44) pp. 8vo. Contemporary wrinkled overlapping vellum, small damage at foot of front cover, handwritten name and title to spine. Not in Adams; not in BMSTC (Italian); not in Camus; Vinciana 1232 (1667 edition, the entry gives as earliest edition 1605). Second edition, first published in 1597 (?) Interesting work detailing criminal procedure: capture of suspects, investigation of proof, interrogations, etc. etc. An important part of the work is devoted to the practise of torture and its various modalities.Old handwritten ownership's entry in blank portion of title-page, F6 with a small hole not affecting text, pagenumbering quire G mixed up, but complete.

AMERICA - BIRKBECK, M.

Paris, Chez L'Huilier, Delaunay, 1819. With engraved map. (4), xvi, 156 pp. 8vo. Modern boards, label with gilt lettering. Sabin 5568; Howes B.467; not in Streeter sale; not in Muller; not in Leclerc. The only French version. The name of the author is misspelled as Birkbecks on the title. Birckbeck purchased 6.000 acres of land on English Prairie, Illinois, in 1816, founding thereon the city of New Albion. The author did much to inspire and direct British emigrants into that area. The French translator considers the wealth of information supplied also of great interest for French people who might wish to emigrate to the United States. The work includes a wealth of information on economic and social conditions in that part of the United States. - One leaf (pp. 63/64) neatly repaired, without loss of text, and some small loss of paper in outer blank margin of half-title and title.

AMERICA - (BUTEL-DUMONT, G.M.)

A La Haye, aux dépens de la Compagnie, 1755. xvi, 246 pp. 12mo. Contemporary marbled calf, spine gilt in compartments, red label with gilt lettering, red edges. Kress 5420; Higgs 1029; cf.: INED 884; not in Goldsmiths; not in Einaudi; not in Conlon; Sabin 9602; Howes B.1049; cf.: Leclerc 241; Echeverria & Wilkie 755/5. Edition published in the same year as the first edition. Butel-Dumont argues that Great-Britain owes her power and wealth to the colonies. He analyses the commerce and trade as well as the population of the British colonies at the time of the Guerre du Canada. With the outbreak of the Seven Years War, many of whose battles were to be fought in the New World, considerable curiosity about the British colonies was excited. This was one of the books profiting from this curiosity. It emphasized the phenomenal growth and prosperity of the colonies. 'This is the first extensive French text on the British North American colonies and was occasioned by the heightened tensions preceding the Seven Years War. It gives accounts of the geography, history, religion, government, economics, trade, and products of the several colonies' (Echeverria & Wilkie). According to INED this work was also attributed to Véron de Forbonnais.

AMERICA - CHAS, J. & (M.) LEBRUN.

A Paris, Chez Favre, an IX (1801). (8), viii, 458, (2) pp. 8vo. Contemporary boards, spine gilt in compartments, red label with gilt lettering. Sabin 12166; Leclerc 845; Fay 40; Echeverria & Wilkie 801/4. First edition. This publication is one in a group which was typical of revived French-American fraternity in the early 19th century, dwelling on the similarities between the American and the French revolution, comparing Napoleon with Washington, and the struggle against the English. The work was therefore dedicated to Napoleon while the authors were careful to explain that American Liberty meant respect for the law, not license, and that the doctrine of the social contract and the principle of equality were not to be misinterpreted as signifying pure democracy or an unrestricted franchise (see at length: Echeverria, Mirage in the West, p. 255). Only after 1804 and the coronation of the Emperor, parallels between Washington and Napoleon were no longer politically desirable.

AMERICA - CLAVIERE, E. & J.P. BRISSOT DE WARVILLE.

A Londres et se trouve à Paris, Chez Buisson, juin 1789. 2 works bound in 1 volume. xxiv, xlviii, 344 pp.; (4), 69, (1), (8), 151 pp. 8vo. Contemporary half calf, spine gilt in compartments, gilt lettering, green paper covered boards, a bit shaved. First work: Sabin 13516; Fay 23; JFBL B542 (under Brissot); Echeverria & Wilkie 787/3; Monaghan, 303; not in Muller; not in Leclerc; Kress B.1169; Goldsmiths 13307; Einaudi 1121; INED 809 & 1123. First edition, quite scarce. Probably printed in Paris. In January 1787 Brissot, St. Jean de Crèvecoeur, Clavière and Bergasse founded in Paris the Société Gallo-Américaine with the purpose of advancing mutual understanding and trade between France and the U.S. This survey of the actual situation in the United States deals with: De la guerre contre les sauvages. - Des troubles de l'État de Massasuchets. - etc. At the end: 'pièces justificatives'.'Économique et démographique. Principes généraux qui doivent diriger le commerce extérieur des nations, et des rapports commerciaux pouvant unir la France et les États-Unis .... (INED).Dedicated to the American Congress, this work is a systematical treatise on the mutual advantages that the new American republic and France will gain from their commercial relations. It further contains an argument in favour of the American political system where there is anarchy nor slavery.Second work: Stourm 183; Kress B.1564; Goldsmiths 13874; Einaudi 1119; INED 1126.In this work Clavière refutes the opinions of the day concerning the French finances and suggests measures to improve the situation. The first 69 pages contain 'réflexions préliminaires'.

AMERICA - (CREVECOEUR, MICHEL GUILLAUME ST. JEAN DE, CALLED: SAINT JOHN DE CREVECOEUR.)

De l'Imprimerie de Crapelet. A Paris, Chez Maradan, An IX - 1801. Frontispiece, two plates, one folding plate, one folding map (vol. 1); four folding maps (vol. 2); four folding tables, two folding maps (vol. 3). Three volumes. xxi, [1, errata], 427, [1] pp.; xiii, [1, errata], 434 pp.; xii, 409, [1, errata] pp. 8vo. Contemporary mottled calf, spines richly gilt in compartments, green morocco labels with gilt lettering, a very attractive copy. Echeverria & Wilkie, 801/22; Fay, p. 40; Monaghan 503; Sabin 17501. The scarce first edition of this little-known work by Crèvecoeur, which was not translated into English until the 1960s. It is of course not a translation but an original work by Crèvecoeur. Crèvecoeur was of noble birth and first came to America in 1754. He served in Canada during the Seven Years' War, travelled widely throughout the Great Lakes and Ohio regions and American colonies, and finally settled on a farm near the frontier in Orange County, NY. He became an American citizen in 1764, and he served as French consul in New York from 1783 to 1790. His "letters of an American Farmer," published in English in 1782, made him an instant celebrity in Europe and the book was the first best-seller by an American author in Europe."Crèvecoeur spent nearly a quarter of a century in America, saw Washington, in 1774, come to the first Congress fresh from his farm, witnessed his extraordinary career, and, in 1797, saw him retire to the private life of an agriculturist. His experience, therefore, enables him to give much information and personal gossip not readily found elsewhere. (.....) This work is distinguished by its details on the aboriginal tribes, and their gradual disappearance. No other writer has so well described the Indian great councils, or assemblies, where they deliberate on their public interests" (Monthly Review, quoted in Sabin).The work furthermore provides information on central New York, Niagra Falls, deals with (new settlements in) Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, the two Carolina's and some discussion on Canada, there are observations on the flora and fauna, political history, the city of New York, the whole constituting a rich source on the 18th-century history of America.The frontispiecce is a portrait of George Washington, further portraits are of Kesketomah, an Ondondaga sachem, Koohassen, an Oneida warrior, a map entitled "Carte de la Partie Septentrionale des Etats-Unis", a map entitled "Plan de la Cataracte de Niagara et de l'Isthme qui separe les lacs Erie et Ontario", and a map entitled "Carte de la Partie Meridionale des Etats-Unis", a plate "Fortification des Anciens Indigenes" and a plate "Plan d'un Ancien Camp Retranché", two folding views of Niagara Falls, plus some tables both in- and outside text. - A very nice copy of a scarce and interesting work.

AMERICA - (MAZZEI, F.)

A Colle, et se trouve à Paris, Chez Froullé, 1788. 4 volumes. (4), xvi, 383, (1) pp.; (4), 259 pp.; (4), 292 pp.; (4), 366 pp. 8vo. Contemporary catspaw calf, gilt triple fillets on sides, spines richly gilt in compartments, a very nice copy. Sabin 47206; Leclerc 957; Howes M.456; Monaghan 1052; Muller 1612; Fay 24; Echeverria & Wilkie 788/65; Echeverria, p. 124; Einaudi 3807; not in Kress; not in Goldsmiths; not in JFBL. First edition. 'This work was conceived as a corrective reply to Raynal's Histoire Philosophique et Politique and Mably's Observations. It was suggested by William Short, Jefferson's secretary, and was written with Jefferson's assistance and approval.' Contains among others: Reflexions rédigées à l'occasion du Mémoire sur la manière dont la France & l'Espagne doivent envisager les suites de la querelle entre la Grande-Bretagne & ses Colonies (volume 3, pages 217-282), by A.R.J. Turgot, dated April 6, 1776 and published here for the first time, concerning a memoir by Vergennes written at the request of Louis XVI to assist the Conseil d'État in formulating a policy for France and Spain in regard to the American Revolution. Turgot explored the various possible outcomes with their probable consequences for France and predicted that the eventual independence of the U.S. would lead to the independence of other European colonies in America. He recommended arms sales to the U.S. but favored continued official neutrality and opposed direct military intervention' (Echeverria & Wilkie). Mazzei was an Italian physician who practised medicine in Smyrna and later, from 1755 to 1773, engaged in commerce in London. With several other Italians he came to the United States in December, 1773, to introduce the cultivation of the grape and the olive. He became a neighbor and friend of Thomas Jefferson. He actively supported the movement for independence and from 1779 to 1783 he was an agent for Virginia to obtain supplies in Italy. His Memorie della vita (Lugano, 2 volumes, 1845-1846) contains a lengthy account of his activities in Italy on behalf of Virginia (Monaghan, op.cit.) In the above work he was assisted by Condorcet who is the 'Bourgeois de New-Haven.' 'Compilation très exacte, qui réfute les théories de Mably et de Raynal et constitute un répertoire précieux de renseignements de tous ordres sur les États-Unis' (Fay). - Very good and attractive copy.

(ANGOT-DESROTOURS, N.F.M.)

A Paris, De l'Imprimerie Nationale, 1791. (2), 41, (1) pp. 8vo. Modern half red morocco, marbled boards, gilt lettering. Kress B.2015; Goldsmiths 14801 (anonymous entry); INED 54; not in Einaudi; not in Mattioli. First edition. Noel-François-Mathieu Angot Desrotours (or des Rotours), born in Falaise (1739), died in Rotours in 1821. In the Almanach Royaux of 1782-1791 he figures as 'Premier commis des monnaies'. The work deals with Mirabeau's monetary ideas: keeping the price of gold and silver as low as possible, and presents an outline for a new monetary system.

(ANGOT-DESROTOURS, N.F.M.)

No place, 1787. (2), 81, (1) pp. 8vo. Modern boards. Kress B.1152; Goldsmiths 12464 (anonymous citation); Stourm, p. 43; INED 58; Einaudi 126. First edition. Discusses the reasons and arguments of the decision to recast the species. - Name stamp on title.

ARGENSON, (R.L. DE VOYER) D'.

Amsterdam (Paris), 1784. (4), vii, (1), (9)-301, (3) pp. 8vo. Contemporary marbled calf, spine gilt in compartments, label with gilt lettering, monogram in compartment at foot made black, red edges. INED 87; Stourm, p. 107; not in Kress; not in Goldsmiths; not in Einaudi; not in Carl Menger; Renouvin, Assemblées provinciales, pp. 31-36; Lichtenberger, Le Socialisme au XVIIIe siècle, pp. 93-103. The rare second and improved edition, edited by de Paulmy, son of Argenson and printed in a limited number of copies. This is the first issue of the edition, with the errata at the end. There is another edition which lacks the errata while these have been corrected. The original title was to be: "Jusqu'ou la démocratie peut s'étendre dans un Etat monarchique", but this was changed into the title under which the book is now known. The text was substantially modified for the French market and the text also made more moderate, but even after these alterations the book was and remained forbidden and prosecuted. In this book, D'Argenson tries to establish the principles of democratic and municpal government and he is considered by Lichtenberger as one of the forerunners of the great social and economic reforms of later ages.'Le texte de 1764 et celui de 1784 sont si dissemblables qu'ils ne peuvent pas être considérés de prime abord comme exprimant tous deux la pensé de d'Argenson.' (Renouvin, Assemblées provinciales). It is thus important to have both editions. In the preface to the second edition de Paulmy stresses the influence the work has had on the 'économistes', a fact that is confirmed by INED: 'Ces quelques examples montrent que sa doctrine économique a de nombreux point communs avec celles des disciples de Quesnay.'René-Louis de Voyer de Paulmy, Marquis d'Argenson (1694-1757), French writer on economic and political subjects. The main principle in d'Argenson's philosophy was universal liberalism- 'not too much government' (pas trop gouverner). In politics the 'democracy' which he wished to 'admit into the monarchic state' depended primarily on the abolition of inherited distinctions between the estates and on the decentralization of administration. In the economic sphere he demanded the cessation of all interference with the production and circulation of goods (G. Weulersse in ESS, vol. 2, p. 182). 'En matière sociale et politique les idées de d'Argenson sont à la fois hardies, brutales et timorées... d'Argenson tend vers une sorte de socialisme imposé et surveillé par une aristocratie qui n'en prendrait que ce qu'elle voudrait' (Mornet, Les Origines Intellectuelles de la Révolution Française).

ARGENSON, (R.L. DE VOYER) D'.

A Amsterdam, Chez M.M. Rey, 1764. Title printed in red and black, with title-vignette. xvi, 328 pp. 8vo. Contemporary marbled calf, spine gilt in compartments, label with gilt lettering, a bit rubbed, spine-ends somewhat worn. Goldsmiths 10051; Higgs 3090; Weulersse i, p. xix; Stourm, p. 107; Menger p. 544; cf.: INED 87; Renouvin, Assemblées provinciales, pp. 31-36; Lichtenberger, Le Socialisme au XVIIIe siècle, pp. 93-103; Conlon 64:512; not in Kress; not in Einaudi; Mattioli 76, but the 1784 edition; Le Bucher Bibliographique, 481. First edition of this remarkable work. The original title was to be: "Jusqu'ou la démocratie peut s'étendre dans un Etat monarchique", but this was changed into the title under which the book is now known. The text was substantially modified for the French market and the text also made more moderate, but even after these alterations the book was and remained forbidden and prosecuted. In this book, D'Argenson tries to establish the principles of democratic and municpal government and he is considered by Lichtenberger as one of the forerunners of the great social and economic reforms of later ages. Although written as early as 1737, the author's theories have already much in common with those of the Physiocrats. The work was severely prosecuted in France, but M.M. Rey printed at least three issues during the years 1764-1765. René-Louis de Voyer de Paulmy, Marquis d'Argenson (1694-1757), French writer on economic and political subjects. The main principle in d'Argenson's philosophy was universal liberalism- 'not too much government' (pas trop gouverner). In politics the 'democracy' which he wished to 'admit into the monarchic state' depended primarily on the abolition of inherited distinctions between the estates and on the decentralization of administration. In the economic sphere he demanded the cessation of all interference with the production and circulation of goods (G. Weulersse in ESS, vol. 2, p. 182). 'En matière sociale et politique les idées de d'Argenson sont à la fois hardies, brutales et timorées ..... d'Argenson tend vers une sorte de socialisme imposé et surveillé par une aristocratie qui n'en prendrait que ce qu'elle voudrait' (Mornet, Les Origines Intellectuelles de la Révolution Française).

(ARGENSON, R.L. DE VOYER D'.)

A Amsterdam, 1787. 2 volumes in 1. 240 pp.; 240 pp. 8vo. Contemporary marbled calf, spine gilt with raised bands, label with gilt lettering, red edges. Originally published as Essais dans le goût de ceux de Montagne in 1785 but in an edition of 250 copies only for friends of the author. Published by his son, Voyer de Paulmy. d'Argenson played an important role in the history of France in the 18th century and was a 'homme des lettres' who entertained a large 'salon'. The above work is a portrait-gallery of contemporaries, it contains reflections of the author on what he read, and considerations on France and French society in the 18th century.

ARNOULD, (A.M.)

A Paris, De l'Imprimerie ordinaire du corps législatif, et se vend chez Rondonneau, mars 1806. xii, 224, iv, 164, (4, advertisments) pp. 4to. Contemporary half calf, spine gilt in compartments, gilt lettering, marbled boards, corners, very lightly rubbed. Kress B.5003; Goldsmiths 19258; Einaudi 162; INED 94 (only the last iv, 164 pp.); Martin & Walter, 545. First edition. 'Ambroise-Marie Arnould (1750-1812), a French economist, was director of the board of commerce under the Revolution. His works contain valuable information upon the theory of trade, the state of the balance of trade in Europe during the 18th century, French finances, etc. He advocated the division of France into departments according to their homogeneous economical nature; and appealed to all maritime nations to confederate against the menacing power of England' (Palgrave, i, p. 58). The last 164 pages contain the 'Notes et pièces justificatives', with tables throughout the text.

(ARNOUX.)

(Toulouse) Imprimerie de Lavergne, 1839. 2 parts. 45, (1 blank) & (2), 29, (1 blank) pp. 4to. Disbound. First work: Arnoux, Maire de Toulouse, justifies in this text the actions taken by him and his municipal council with regard to the public lightning of the city, negocations with various compagnies interested in the assignment (Compagnie Europeenne, Compagnie de Seynes, Compagnie Lyonnaise) and reveals the various contracts and decisions. The mayor was accused of improper behaviour and having concealed his interests in the compagnie Europeenne, dissatisfied with the results of the deliberations. Second work: The drop-head title on page 1 reads: Notes sur les Faits et Moyens libellés dans l'opposition de quelques habitants du quartier Lafayette, contre l'établissement de l'atelier pour la fabrication du gaz de la Compagnie Lyonnaise. At the end is a "Résumé" by the representative of the Compagnie Lyonnaise, J. Longhena, Avril 1839.The work contains the texts of the opponents of the establishment of the factory, with the remarks and refutations by Longhena, thus allowing the reader to follow the fears and grievances of the opponents and the arguments and refutations of the company.

ASSEMBLEE DES NOTABLES 1788 -

Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1788. 6 pieces bound in one volume. 7, (1) pp.; (8) pp.; 18 pp.; 7, (1) pp.; (4), 505 pp.; 14 pp. 4to. Modern half calf. All original editions. The Assembly of Notables was an advisory body of the Old Regime, including nearly 150 of the most prestigious nobles and public officials of France. The first Assembly of Notables, convened by Louis XVI to approve the last great reform program of the Bourbon monarchy, rejected unexpectedly the most important reforms, initiating the crisis leading to the revolution in 1789. The government's program, conceived by the controller general, C.-A. de Calonne, intended to eliminate the mounting deficit through a combination of financial and institutional reform. A new land tax and provincial assemblees were the centerpieces. Other reforms included the taille (tax on commoners, mainly peasants), a money payment replacing the corvée (peasant road service), a more equitable salt tax (gabelle), free internal trade in grain, and removal of tariff barriers within the national borders. The Notables had several reasons to oppose most of the proposed reforms and close analysis of their debates and of their role in ancien régime society helps to explain why they opposed royal reforms and why their example sparked broader opposition, which succeeded ultimately in undermining the monarchy and forcing it to convene an Estates General in 1789. The major theme in the first Assembly was the nation controlling and participating in government and from the spring of 1787 until the autumn of 1788, calls resounded for the convening of an Estates General and for extending the powers of provincial assemblees. The crown finally succumbed to financial stringency and public pressure and in August 1788 an Estates General was summoned. In the same year, 1788, a second Assembly of Notables was convened with the task of advising the king on procedures for electing the Estates General. During this session, of which the proceedings were edited by P.S. Dupont de Nemours and Hennin, the decision was made to convoke the États-Généraux in 1789 and the rules of the elections were established. The debate centered, among other things, on equal representation for each order and separate deliberation and vote by order. The public demanded the 'doubling of the Third' and 'vote by head', aimed at ensuring greater influence for the Third Estate in the Estates General. These issues dominated debates in 1789, until June, when the three orders merged into a National Assembly, marking the first victory of the Revolution.

ASSEMBLEE NATIONALE -

Paris, Imprimerie Nationale, Frimaire an X (1801). 2 volumes. - Together 17 volumes in 16. 8vo. 10 vols contemporary half calf (not uniform, one rubbed), 2 modern half calf, 4 sewn with contemporary chinz covers. Tourneux i, 478 & 479a. - A few volumes somewhat waterstained.

(AUGEARD, J.M.)

No place, no date (1774). Six works bound in one volume. 64 pp.; 21, (1) pp.; 12 pp.; 68 pp.; (6), 152 pp.; 43, (1) pp. Small 8vo. Contemporary catspaw calf, spine gilt in compartments, compartments with floral ornaments, triple fillet on sides, marbled edges, a bit rubbed, small damage to head of spine, corners lightly bumped. First work: Conlon 72:539.First edition.According to Conlon this work has also been attributed to M. F. Pidansat de Mairobert. It is a satyrical piece against Maupeou and his politics, and it contains an explication of the two folding allegorical plates. The third engraving shows a man handing over manuscripts to an ill man in his bed, with the text below "L'Editeur de la Correspondance reçoit des mains de l'Auteur les Oeufs rouges de Monseigneur." Third work: Conlon 72:72.First edition.This work is possibly also by J.M. Augeard: Conlon states that the BL has classified it under his name. Fourth work: Conlon 72:389.First edition.Fifth work: Conlon 72:1076First edition.Sixth work: Conlon 74:1383; INED 4292; not in Kress; not in Goldsmiths; not in Higgs.First edition.'Apocryphe. .... Pour servir de suite à la Correspondance secrète et familière de M. de Maupeou avec M. de Sor***, par Pidansat de Mairobert. Lettre apocryphe attaquant Maupeou et la politique financière de Turgot. Allusion à un mémoire sur l'emploi des biens ecclésiastiques suivant le voeu de l'Église primitive' (INED). The attribution is based on the Conlon entry.

(AUGER.)

A Bruxelles, 1779. xiv, 776, (2, errata, blank), 10 pp. 4to. Contemporary calf, spine gilt with raised bands, red label with gilt lettering, marbled edges, some minor blemishes to binding. Kress B.175; Goldsmiths 11860; Einaudi 207; INED 137; Quérard, La France Littéraire, i, p. 126; Dupin/Camus 954bis, pointing to the fact that this work is only complete with the 10 pages supplement, as is the case here; Le Bucher bibliographique, 114. Very rare only edition and suppressed by the Cour des Aides in February 1779 because it was considered contrary to the authority of the Court, it lacked respect for its decisions and it violated the confidentiality of the decisions. This precious and scarce volume, which was not available on the market and which was suppressed in 1779, contains the work of Malesherbes during his tenure in office at the Cour des Aides, that is, the work of 25 years: the reports of the sessions of the Cour des Aides and the remonstrances. It was published with tacit permission and did not contain, in the first instance, those pleas in which Malerherbes addressed the king in quite frank language. These withheld texts were shortly thereafter nevertheless printed and inserted and they form the indispensible 10 page supplement at the end of the volume.The Court des Aides was suppressed, together with the Parliaments, by Maupeou in his attempt at reform; it played, under Malesherbes, a significient role of opposition to what the Court considered to be "royal arbitrariness" and basically shared the "constitutionalist" ideology common to most members of the Grande Robe. The Court was suppressed in 1771 and re-instated in 1774: Malesherbes was recalled to Paris with the reconstituted Cour des Aides on the accession of Louis XVI; it was at this point that he spearheaded the famous 1775 Remontrances of the cour des aides, which detailed the problems facing the regime and envisioned a total overhaul of fiscal policy. Louis XVI was so impressed with the plan -and fearful for the future of his government- that Malesherbes was appointed minister of the maison du roi in 1775. He held office as a royal minister only nine months; the Court proved intransigent in its opposition to his proposals for fiscal restraint and other reforms, including curtailing the arbitrary issuance of lettres de cachet, and he soon found himself bereft of political support. He resigned together with Turgot in 1776.- Pages 71-72 bound between pages 66-67, and with the pages 71-72 bis present, 457-8 omitted in numbering, numbers 465-66 used twice, but text complete.

BABBAGE, CH.

Paris, A la librairie Orientale de Dondey-Dupré, 1834. xxiii, (1), 392 pp. 8vo. Contemporary half calf, marbled boards, spine gilt in compartments, gilt lettering, a bit rubbed. Goldsmiths 28497; not Einaudi; not in Kress. First edition of Isoard's translation of the second part of Babbage's Economy of Machinery and Manufactures - the domestic and political economies of manufactures - published just a year after Biot's first translation into French. This translation is taken from the important third edition containing the final text of the classic treatise on the economics of the manufacturing industry. Isoard's translation differs from the translation by Edouard Biot. While Biot chose to translate the entirety of Babbage's work, Isoard was more selective, with the aim of reaching a wider and more varied readership than Biot. He therefore dropped technical chapters on mechanics, translated much of the technical vocabulary into layman's terms, and rearranged many of the paragraphs in order to improve the continuity of each subject. The Economy of Machinery and Manufactures was Babbage's 'brilliant and utterly original foray into political economy ... Adam Smith had analysed the sources of increases in labour productivity to be found in the division of labour: Babbage took this fundamental principle of economic growth and applied it to the individual firm. His obvious first-hand knowledge of a wide variety of industrial and business processes, combined with general analysis of production systems, made the work a tour de force. At a time of anxiety and ambiguity over the reception of new technology, he also offered authoritative policy statements on a wide range of machinery issues, including patent reform, export of machinery, crises of over production, and technological unemployment. The book's intellectual position in relationship to political economy was not, however, easily apparent, and few apart from J.S. Mill and Karl Marx appreciated its significance to their discipline' (Maxine Berg in the introduction to the Pickering Masters edition of Babbage's works, 1989).

(BAILLY, J.-S.)

A Paris, Chez De Bure, 1790. With folding table. 2 volumes. (4), 454 pp.; (4), 434 pp. 8vo. Modern half morocco, spine gilt in compartments, marbled boards. Martin & Walter 1192. First collective edition of previously published pieces, rare. Volume 1 contains eulogies of Corneille, Molière, Leibnitz, Captain Cook, etc., volume 2 contains reports on magnetism, on the project of a new Hôtel-de-Dieu, etc., for the greater part edited and signed collectively with Franklin, Le Roy, Guillotin, Lavoisier, a.o.Jean-Sylvain Bailly was a brilliant scientist and a politician. His scientific successes brought him admission to the prestigious Académie des Sciences in 1763, and he was later admitted to the Académie française and appointed to the Académie des Belles-Lettres by the king, at which time he was the only man together with de Fontenelle, to hold the distinction of membership of all three academies. The first volume of the present work, although not considered to be a literary masterpiece, reveals Bailly's theory of government: he loved the king and respected the institution of the monarchy, but he also believed fervently in a meritocracy, which was neither present nor possible under an absolute monarchy. Bailly researched the theories of Mesmer and his disciples and unmasked them as charletans and he reported on the conditions in the hospitals and slaughterhouses. During the Revolution Bailly led the assembly in taking the oath that created the National Assembly, was elected the first President of that body, and somewhat later he was named mayor of Paris. The events on July 17, 1791, (Champs de Mars massacre) lead to his resignation as mayor of Paris and his execution 2 years later.

BAILLY - (MENARD DE SAINT-JUST, S.P.)

A Londres, Dans le Strand, Chez S.P. Rinistad-Stumear, 1794. (4), 266 pp. 12mo. Modern half calf, gilt lettering to spine, marbled boards, top edge gilt, uncut. Martin & Walter 23884; Tourneux, iv, 21736. First edition, very rare. Jean-Sylvain Bailly, scientist and politician (1736-1793). He was president of the National Assembly and mayor of Paris. Bailly set up an observatory in the upper story of the Louvre's south gallery and began to make observations of the comets and the planets Mars and Venus. His successes brought him admission to the prestigious Académie des Sciences in 1763. In 1771 Bailly published a masterful dissertation in which he explored a new theory on the satellites of Jupiter. Bailly surfaced as the spokesman for the Third Estate and when the Third Estate retired to the tennis court Bailly led the assembly in taking the famous oath that created the National Assembly. Bailly remained firm in his belief that the "nation when assembled cannot be given orders". He was later found guilty as responsible for the Champ de Mars massacre and executed. - Ex libris Bibliothèque Paul Lacombe on front paste-down, printed in 25 copies only, and printed on "papier vélin."

(BARANTE, A.G.P. BRUGIERE DE.)

A Paris, Chez Léopold Colin, 1809. (4), 267, (1) pp. 8vo. Contemporary half calf, spine gilt with green label and gilt lettering, marbled boards. Brunet, i, col. 643. First edition. The work was published in 1809 although it was written as early as 1805. The work 'attira immédiatement l'attention du public. L'ouvrage eut de multiples éditions et devint fort populaire. L'auteur considérait la littérature dans son influence sur les idées, les moeurs et les croyances de la nation. Mme de Staël lui consacra une critique élogieuse, contribuant à lancer son ami dans les voies de la célébrité littéraire' (Dictionnaire de Biographie Française, vol. 5, col. 177-178). - Outer lower blank margin of pp. 259-260 torn off without affecting the text.