Corps d'observations de la Société d'agriculture, de commerce & des arts, établie par les Etats de Bretagne. Années 1757-1758 & Années 1759-1760.

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.