Tous les livres de A. Gerits & Son b.v. - Antiquarian booksellers

(GIN, P.L.C.)

A Genève, 1777. (4), (2, Avis au Lecteur, blank), vii, (1, blank), 316, (4, errata) pp. 8vo. Contemporary marbled calf, spine richly gilt in compartments, label with gilt lettering, marbled edges. INED 2037 (later edition); not in Kress; not in Goldsmiths; not in Einaudi; not in Mattioli; Mornet, Les origines intellectuelles de la Révolution, pp. 217-8. Rare first edition of this work which is primarily a defence of monarchic government against the theories of Montesquieu and Mably, notable for a variety of observations on economic issues. Gin identifies the products of agriculture and manufacture as the basic forms of wealth, and condemns import on the grounds that they lead to a diminution in the population. 'Il y défend les lois fondamentales de la monarchie pure, réfute la théorie de la liberté politique ou de constitution de Montesquieu, celle de l'équilibre des pouvoirs et refuse de donner des limites à la puissance du monarque' (Mornet). 'Sociologie politique. De la monarchie, en général, et du gouvernement français en particulier. Plusieurs passages consacrés à des questions économiques. Réflexions sur les impôts et sur les richesses en général' (INED). - Some annotations concerning author and book on verso front free blank. A very nice copy with good margins, and an interesting copy: after the title-page there is a "Avis au Lecteur", reading: "Ce livre n'ayant pas ete imprime sous les yeux de l'Auteur, il s'y est glissé plusieurs fautes typographiques. On a corrigé les plus importantes dans l'Errata qui est à la fin de cet Ouvrage." Both this "avis" and the errata are almost always lacking in copies usually found, the errors in those copies not being corrected.

(GIN, P.L.C.)

A Genève, et se trouve à Paris, Chez tous les Libraires qui vendent les Nouveautés, 1780. With engraved frontispiece. (4), xxiv, 427, (1) pp. 8vo. Contemporary marbled calf, spine richly gilt in compartments with red label and gilt lettering, a beautiful copy. INED 2037 (1782 edition); not in Kress; not in Goldsmiths; not in Einaudi; not in Mattioli; Mornet, Les origines intellectuelles de la Révolution, pp. 217-8. Rare second edition, as the first not to be found in any of the reference works. The present work, which is primarily a defence of monarchic government against the theories of Montesquieu and Mably, is notable for a variety of observations on economic issues. Gin identifies the products of agriculture and manufacture as the basic forms of wealth, and condemns import on the grounds that they lead to a diminution in the population. 'Sociologie politique. De la monarchie, en général, et du gouvernement français en particulier. Plusieurs passages consacrés à des questions économiques. Réflexions sur les impôts et sur les richesses en général' (INED). 'Il y défend les lois fondamentales de la monarchie pure, réfute la théorie de la liberté politique ou de constitution de Montesquieu, celle de l'équilibre des pouvoirs et refuse de donner des limites à la puissance du monarque' (Mornet).

GIRARD, P. DE.

Paris, Imprimerie de Ch. Jouaust, (1860). 7 pieces in 1 volume. 2 pp.; 16 pp.; 24 pp.; 13, (1) pp.; 14 pp.; (4), 71, (1) pp.; 40 pp. 4to. Modern half morocco, marbled boards, spine lettered in gilt. Not in Siegelaub, Bibliographica Textilia historiae; Hoefer, vol. xx, cols. 668-678; Dictionnaire de Biographie Française, vol. 16, cols 168-170. Philippe de Girard invented the machine for spinning linen along principles still valid today. He was awarded a million francs by Napoléon and, in anticipation started three factories. But due to political circumstances and the fact that Napoléon did not keep his promise, his factories, very succesful from the start, faced soon ruin and de Girard was imprisoned. Ruined and betrayed by two collaborators, he accepted an invitation by the Austrian government. He again set up a factory and was again succesful. When de Girard was awarded the gold medal given by the Société d'encouragement pour l'Industrie nationale, he returned to France. Despite his brilliant discoveries (de Girard was the inventor of many more novelties) and the intervention on his behalf by journalists, politicians and intellectuals, the government refused to give him any financial help or reward. De Girard died in 1845 and his niece continued to find a way to get the money once awarded to de Girard. Also Charles Dupin appealed to the government, but all to no avail. - A few pieces have contemporary underlining and handwritten notes and comments in the margins, three texts have been bound with their original, printed covers, the last text has a handwritten dedication to Monsieur Gudin or Godin by the Comtesse Vernède de Corneillan, née de Girard.

GIRONCOURT, (H.A. REGNARD DE.)

A Nancy, Chez la veuve Leclerc, 1776. 2 volumes in 1. (16), 349, (1) pp.; (2), 358, (16) pp. 4to. Modern vellum, red label with gilt lettering. Kress S.4854; Masui, i, p. 404; not in Goldsmiths; not in Einaudi; not in INED; not in Franklin, Les Sources de l'histoire de France; not in Catalogue de l'Histoire de France; Conlon 76:1033. First edition. Henri Antoine Regnard de Gironcourt (1719-1786), became a lawyer at Epinal in 1746 and published several Mémoires dealing with taxes on merchandise to be levied on behalf of religious orders, a practice which existed since the tenth century. He also wrote a number of works and articles on the history of the Lorraine. The present work was his most important and is an esteemed historical treatise on French finances and the responsible officers. - Very good copy and rare.

GODART, J.

Lyon, Bernoux & Cumin, 1899. With engraved frontispiece and 2 engravings. (8), iii, 542, (2) pp. 4to. Contemporary half morocco, spine gilt with raised bands, marbled boards, corners, top edge gilt, original covers preserved, a bit rubbed. Bourgeois & André 5793; DBMOF, vol. xii, p. 295; Charléty, Bibliographie de Lyon, 1369. All published. Standard work. 'L'industrie de la soie a donné lieu à des ouvrages importants. Il faut mettre à part celui de J. Godart ..... qu'il convient de regarder comme ayant la valeur d'une source' (Bourgeois & André). - Printed on 'grand papier de Hollande', number 52, signed by Godart. One of only 110 copies of a 'tirage de luxe.'

GOMEL, CH.

Paris, Guillaumin et Cie., 1902-1905. 2 volumes. Together 6 volumes. xxxi, 548 pp.; xix, 645 pp.; xxxv, 565 pp.; 586 pp.; xxiv, 517 pp.; xx, 576 pp. 8vo. Modern half morocco, marbled boards, spines with gilt lettering and with raised bands. Guide to Historical Literature, (8th. ed.), VC 634-636. Original edition. Indispensible standard work. Deals with: Les Ministères de Turgot et Necker; Les derniers Controleurs Généraux; L'Assemblée Constituante 1789; L'Assemblée Constituante 1790-1791; La Législative et la Convention, 1792-1793; La Législative et la Convention 1793-1795.Marcel Marion, in the ESS, volume vi, p. 696, writes: 'Of no less significance are his writings on the financial causes of the French revolution; they deal in a most elucidating manner with the administrations of Turgot and Necker and the last of the controllers general and with the financial history of the Constituent Assembly, the Legislative Assembly and the Convention.' - Very fine copy.

GOSSEN, H.H.

Berlin, Verlag von R.L. Prager, 1889. Numerous tables and figures in the text. (2), viii, 277, (1, errata), (2, Vieweg und Sohn catalogue) pp. 8vo. Later half cloth, marbled boards, corners, gilt lettering to spine. Einaudi 2657; Mattioli 1479. Second issue of the very rare first edition, first published at Gossen's own expense by Vieweg in Brunswick (1854). Very few copies were sold and the book remained unnoticed for years. Shortly before his death, Gossen withdrew it from circulation and the unsold copies were returned to him. After the author had become famous, Vieweg's successor, Prager, bought this stock from Hermann Kortum (Gossen's nephew and professor of mathematics) and brought the work back on the market in 1889 with a new title page and as a 'new' edition.The importance of Gossen was brought to light by Jevons and Walras. In the second edition of The Theory of Political Economy Jevons included a generous acknowledgement of Gossen's priority 'as regards the general principles and method of the theory of Political Economy.''Gossen, though perhaps not quite a genius, had a brilliant, original and precise mind. With his one book, he moved constrained optimization into the centre of the theory of value and allocation, where it has since remained. With respect to economic content, his was probably the greatest single contribution to this theory in the 19th century' (New Palgrave, ii, p. 550-554).Inner margin of paste-downs and free first blanks reinforced with white cloth tape, two discrete stamps on verso of the title-page "Universitätsbibliothek Konstanz", two passages in the book with side marking.

(GOUDAR, A.)

A Amsterdam, Chez Jacques Coeur, à la corne d'Abondance (Paris), 1756. 3 volumes. xii, 372 pp.; 406 pp.; 350 pp. 8vo. Contemporary marbled calf, spines richly gilt in compartments, labels with gilt lettering and numbering. Mars 27; Weulersse, i, p. xxvii; Kress 5526; Goldsmiths 9082; Einaudi 2659; Mattioli 1481; INED 2079; Higgs 1145. First edition, second issue. Einaudi's copy is identical with ours, about the Kress and Goldsmiths copies not much can be said, both collections contain more than one copy and they both indicate that there is one copy with a third volume with the indication 'Nouvelle édition', as does our third volume. According to Mars, Ange Goudar, cet inconnu, essai bio-bibliographique, the third volume came from the same press as the first two volumes but with a different ornamental typography. Between the first issue and this issue, there appeared, according to Mars, a parisian contrefaçon, all published in 1756. This is the main work of Goudar. It was used by the demographer Süssmilch in his Die goetliche ordnung. Voltaire had a copy in his library and Diderot wrote about the book in a letter to Sophie Volland. Preceding Mirabeau's l'Ami des Hommes by a few months, it marks an important date in the history of political economy, and made Goudar one of the leading figures of the school of 'des agrariens et populationnistes', not to be mixed with the Physiocrats, which they preceded and with whom they disagreed on various points. 'Of the pre-physiocratic French writers who approached the population problem in terms of agricultural values and reforms, Ange Goudar (1720-1791) was the most important' (Spengler, French predecessors of Malthus, pp. 56-67.) Spengler's analysis is elaborate and shows the crucial importance of this work. - Some corners somewhat damaged.

GOUDAR, ANGE.

Avignon, 1758. 59, [1] blank pp. 8vo in 8s and 4s. Uncut in original grey stiff wrappers; paper spine label. Mars 48; OCLC lists just a microform copy; INED 2080; not in Kress, Goldsmiths' or Einaudi. First edition, uncommon of Goudar's response to l'abbé Soumille's proposals, expressed in a number of pamphlets, on the mechanisation of agriculture, especially the introduction of multiple seeding machinery. Goudar argues against it because this would lead to depopulation of the land. "Of the pre-physiocratic French writers who approached the population problem in terms of agricultural values and reforms, Ange Goudar (1720-1791) was the most important" (Joseph J. Spengler, French Predecessors of Malthus, p. 57-69 with elaborate discussion of Goudar and his works.)

GOURAUD, CH.(-M.CL.)

Paris, Auguste Durand, Dentu, 1854. 2 volumes. (4), 388 pp.; (4), 459, (1) pp. 8vo. Contemporary half calf, spines gilt with raised bands, red labels with gilt lettering, marbled boards, front joint of volume 2 a bit rubbed at top. Einaudi 2664. First edition. - With a handwritten and signed dedication by the author to Monsieur le Chancelier Duc Pasquier on half-title.

GOUY, (D'ARCY, L.M.) DE.

No place, no date, (Paris, 1790.) 2 volumes. (4), 166, 141 pp.; 31 pp. 8vo. Modern half morocco, spine gilt in compartments, marbled boards (volume 1), modern half morocco, marbled boards (volume 2). Martin & Walter 15478 (first volume only); Sabin 28152 (first volume only); not in Echeverria & Wilkie; not in JFBL. Original edition, extremely rare with the "Supplement ...." which is almost always lacking. Against the policy of La Luzerne with regards to the colonies. Gouy d'Arcy led the colonial delegates in support of the Tennis Court Oath: the colonies had sent delegates to the upcoming Estates General in France and had even drafted their own cahiers des doléances in which they voiced their demands for more home rule and economic freedom.Gouy d'Arcy acquired a consderable fortune by marrying Anne-Amable Hux de Bayeux, a rich creole from Saint-Domingue and he became an ardent defender of colonial and Saint-Domingue interests, was founder of the colonial committee of Paris and the Club Massiac, and was instrumental in legislation favouring the colonists, and a fierce opponent of Brissot and the Amis des Noirs. Together with Moreau de Saint-Méry, he organized fierce opposition to any colonial reform (see: Albert Soboul, Dictionnaire historique de la Révolution française, pp. 516-7.)The original frontcover of volume one is preserved and gives, both recto and verso, the chronology of the events in Saint-Domingue covering the period December 1st 1789 - 22 October 1790. - Very rare in this complete state.

(GOYON DE LA PLOMBANIE, H. DE.)

A Amsterdam, Aux depens de la Compagnie, 1759. Title printed in red and black. viii, 296 pp. 8vo. Contemporary blind marbled covers, paper shelf number to spine, uncut. Kress 5781; Goldsmiths 9441; Einaudi 2671; Mattioli 1484; Higgs 1978; INED 2119; Conlon 59:827; Spengler, French Predecessors of Malthus, pp. 86-90. First edition. The copies catalogued in Kress and Higgs have 535 pages and the title ends after the words 'Commerce général', lacking the additon 'du Royaume'. No priority has been established, either of these editions is very rare. The author, one of the editors of the Journal Économique, philantropist and utopian socialist, proposes in this work to 'faire entrer tous les moyens de mettre en exécution les projets les plus grands pour le bonheur de la nation': the founding of a state-owned agricultural company for the sale of its products with the purpose of maintaining price stability, the foundation of 'sociétiés de crédit', development of the use of machines, etc. The whole of his socialist and utopian ideas is also elaborately dealt with in J.-C. Perrot's work 'Histoire intellectuelle de l'Économie Politique', chapter entitled Le despotisme de la raison dans l'utopie économique de Goyon de la Plombanie, pp. 284-304. See also A. Lichtenberger, Le Socialisme au XVIIIe siècle, pp. 329-334. - Occasional faint dampstain, a very good copy.

(GRAILLARD DE GRAVILLE, B.C.)

(Paris), aux Boulevards, (1760). 39, (1) pp. Small 8vo. Modern boards. Conlon 60:796. First edition. Aphorisms on theatre, writers, women, etc. The author was editor of the Recueil A-Z.

GRANIER DE STE.-CECILE, J.M.

Bourg (Ain), Chez Janinet, Imprimeur-Libraire du Roi, 1819. 64 pp. 8vo. Stab-sewn in original pale yellow covers, a bit frayed at edges. Not in Kress; not in Goldsmiths; not in Einaudi; not in Mattioli; Louandre & Bourquelot, iv, p. 153 for other works by the author but not this one; Quérard, iii, p. 451, listing the third edition published in 1821. First edition. The author, inhabitant of Treffort in the department l'Ain, was a prolific philantropist. In this curious work he exposes with much details a revolutionary financial project which he would like to see implemented in all civilized nations. The gist of the project is no less than the abolition of all taxes: they will be replaced by a voluntary contribution: "C'est sur l'orgueil, le luxe et l'amour-propre que je vais proposer d'établir un impôt." The method is simple and clear: no-one is allowed to decorate his horses, carriages, clothes, furniture, harness, etc. etc. unless a license has been bought. Granier's argument is based on human nature: if something is dear to someone, he will want it; if it distinguishes it is appreciated and desired, and the more it is wanted. Hence, many will pay to be able to obtain what they want and what will distinguish them from others. Granier also deals with possible objections to his project, gives calculations of income generated through his project, and exposes clearly the unjust and uneven division of taxes in existence: a day-worker pays 15 % taxes on his glass of wine, whereas those who can afford to purchase wine "en gros" pay only 5%!Granier is the author of various other works: Moyen d'améliorer l'état social en diminuant l'excès de la fréquentation des cafés, billards, ...., Moyen d'éteindre la mendicité, d'améliorer le sort des pauvres .... and of Moyen pour produire spontanément et à peu de frais un moteur capable de suppléer aux pompes de feu ..... A very nice copy, a bit spotted, uncut.

(GRASLIN, J.J.L.)

Londres (Paris), 1767. (12), xii, 408 pp. 8vo. Modern marbled boards, red morocco label with gilt lettering. Kress 4142; Goldsmiths 10266; Einaudi 2683; INED 2126; Higgs 4142; Weulersse, i, p. xxvii; Conlon 67:916; Leblanc 139. The very scarce first edition of one of the most important works written against the physiocrats. 'Graslin's reputation never was what it should have been because he put so much emphasis upon criticism of the Physiocrats -which is in fact the best ever proferred- that his readers were apt to overlook his positive contribution. Actually, his Essai analytique presents the outlines of a comprehensive theory of wealth as a theory of total income rather than of income net of all producers expenses including wages -a not inconsiderable improvement considering the role the latter was to play later on. Also he was above his contemporaries insight into the problem of incidence of taxation' (Schumpeter, p. 175). 'In his principal work (the present work) he criticized the physiocratic conceptions of wealth, production and taxation, advocating as preferable to the physiocratic impôt unique what amounted to a kind of progressive tax on income' (Spengler, French Predecessors of Malthus, p. 315.) 'Graslin was a steady and consistent opponent of the tenets of the Physiocrats on the subject of the produit net and the consequences they deducted from this principle and applied to taxtation' (Palgrave, ii, p. 255). - Lightly browned throughout.

(GRENVILLE, G.)

A Londres, 1768. With folding table. 2 volumes in 1. (2), 231, (1) pp.; (2), 229, (1) pp. 12mo. Contemporary marbled calf, spine gilt with raised bands, label with gilt lettering, marbled edges. Kress 6563; Higgs 4439; Goldsmiths 10466; Conlon 68:986 (attribution to William Knox); INED 2150 (a new edition published in 1769, in one small volume); Stourm, p. 111. First French edition, there was also an edition published in 4to (Kress) in the same year. The attribution is uncertain, some bibliographies list it under Grenville, others under Knox. Important financial study dealing with the difficulties of England after the Seven Year's War which had added some £ 60,000,000 to the national debt, and the possible repercussions this may have on the population, and further the difficulties to recruit new soldiers, the shortage of funds to pay the soldiers, the weight of taxes on the working classes. The author believes that they may consider emigration, and he wonders whether England will have sufficient numbers of men to be sent to the colonies, "sinon, les indigènes seront de beaucoup les plus nombreux, et il leur faudrait leurs propres représentants au Parlement" (INED). The present work, a translation of the Present State of the Nation; Particularly with respect to Its Trade Finances, etc., drew a retort from Burke and a brief comment from Adam Smith.The folding table is entitled: Etat de la Dette Nationale au 5 Janvier 1767, avec les Intérêts & les Taux.

GROS DE BESPLAS, ABBé (JOSEPH-MARIE-ANNE.)

A Paris, De l'Imprimerie de Sébastien Jorry, 1768. Frontispice by Jean Massard after Charles Eisen representing the young Dauphin, the future Louis XVI, running after the shadow of his father, the Dauphin Louis, who died in 1765. xxxiv, 586, (2) pp. 8vo. Contemporary marbled calf, spine richly gilt with raised bands, label with gilt lettering, marbled edges, gilt triple fillet on sides, very lightly rubbed. INED 2163 (edition 1790 in 2 volumes in 12mo); Higgs 4522; Goldsmiths 11087 (the 1774 edition); Kress S.4524; not in Mattioli; Einaudi A.348 (the 1774 edition); Lichtenberger, Le Socialisme au XVIIIe Siècle, pp. 391-393. First edition of the major work by the Abbé Gros de Besplas, the preacher of Louis XV. While property, society and religion were subjected to violent attacks in the writings of the philosophes, only very few "abbé's" introduced the subject of political economy into their sermons, some even to the point where they were called to order by the ecclesiastical authorites. Among them, the Abbé Gros de Besplas, while not believing in the utility of important and profound reform, argued that public welfare, of which religion and the monarch were the principle guards, follows from possession of the "necessary", a certain abundance, and being subjected to work. Gros de Besplas strongly condamns celibacy, mendicity and "le luxe" which, he feels, must be suppressed by means of heavy taxes, deplores the fallow land for want of instruments and machines in the hands of those who work the land, and argues for a more even distribution of land in "accord avec la justice". The subjects of the monarch, or any ruler, have four important rights: the right to life, the right to be free, the right to own property, and the right to be protected. From this Gros de Besplas arrives at a socialist theory of property: the property of land belongs to society as it can not belong to any particular man. To his politically moderate ideas Gros de Besplan attaches more radical ideas concerning property.The engraved frontispiece is preceded by a leaf which contains verso an "Explication du Frontispiece." Rare: only Higgs and Kress have the original edition.

GROUBER DE GROUBENTALL, M.F.

A Paris, De l'Imprimerie de Grangé, 1777. Two pieces bound in one volume. 57, (1) pp.; 31, (1) pp. 4to. Modern boards. Neither of these in Conlon. Original editions. Although this trial is basically about the fees due to Grouber de Groubentall for his legal work on behalf of the marquis de Soyecourt, the work also deals elaborately with the ironworks in Lorraine, Moieuvre, Naix and Montiers, their productivity and condition. The judge who had to decide if Grouber was entitled to fees, and if so, how much he was to be paid, is called Jean-Baptiste de Gaulle and his report covers the pages 17-21 of the second text. First and last page with a small stain in the outer upper blank margin, a broad margined copy.

GUEROULT, G.

Paris, Didier et Cie., 1872. viii, 256 pp. 8vo. Modern half morocco, marbled boards, spine with raised bands and gilt lettering. Stammhammer, i, p. 99; Dale, French Labor: A Bibliography, p. 91. First edition. Saint-simonian journalist, Guéroult here discusses the International in relation to the events of the Commune, its doctrines, the social theories, its influence and its political activities and influence.

GUIRAUDET, (C.P.) T.

A Paris, Chez A.J. Dugour, An VIII (1800). (4), 266 pp. 8vo. Modern marbled boards, label with gilt lettering. INED 2212; not in Kress, Goldsmiths or Einaudi; not in Mattioli; Martin & Walter 16174. First edition, although INED (listing this edition) states that the first edition was published in 1790, but no copy with that date could be found. The author, born in 1754, was among others an intimate friend of Mirabeau whom he often helped with his works and researches. The present work deals with fiscal theories inspired by several economic theories from the preceding century. The author cites, analyses or discusses Quesnay and his followers, Adam Smith, Stewart, etc.

HAREN, O. ZWIER VAN.

Te Zwolle, By Simon Clement, 1771. (8), 224, (2, errata, blank) pp. 8vo. Contemporary hal calf, paper covered boards, spine with raised bands, label with gilt lettering, corners a bit bumped. First edition. Haren published, in 1769, a work entitled "Aan het Vaderland" which he later called "a test", a prelude, to this work. This 1771 edition was published in a limited edition as a private publication to be given away. This copy has been offered to de Heer Casteele and the gift is signed by Haren. Onno Zwier van Haren (Leeuwarden 1713 - Wolvega 1779) made a brilliant career as friend and advisor to the Stadholder Willem IV, and was appointed chairman, in 1746, of the Raad van State (Council of State). The accusation of incest by two of his daughters marked the end of his political career but signalled the beginning of his literary career. The present work, an epic poem in 24 cantos, deals with the war against Spain under the leadership of the House of Orange.

HARLAY, A. DE.

No place, (1671). 8 pp. 4to. Modern boards. Not in BMSTC, French Books 1601-1700; not in Bourgeois & André. Original edition. Very important ordinance pertaining to the working conditions of the 'Compagnons orfèvres', ordering that they should 'se retirer chez les maîtres pour y travailler au mois & à la semaine, & non à la tache .....': they should be employed for periods (month, week) and not per single job or task. - First and last page slightly stained.

(HAUTCHAMP, B. MARMOND DU.)

A La Haye, Chez Pierre de Hondt, 1739. Titles printed in red and black, with folding table on two sheets and 1 engraved plate. 6 volumes in 3. (2), 204 pp.; (2), 312 pp.; (2), 208 pp.; (2), 286 pp.; (14), 294 pp.; (18), 246 pp. Small 8vo. Modern overlapping vellum, red morocco labels. Kress 4447; Goldsmiths 7712; Einaudi 3728; INED 1553; Mattioli, 2247; Conlon 39:427; JFBL M162; European Americana, 739/191; not in Sabin. The only edition of this important work. An account of the financial operations of John Law and his 'Compagnie des Indes', including a great number of important memoirs, letters patent, decrees, declarations, etc. Barthélemy Marmont du Hautchamp (1682 - ab. 1760) was an admirer of John Law's system and his book is not written without partiality but has yet been recognized as the best contemporary history of the system and its most precious source. John Law's operations began with the foundation in 1716 of the 'Banque Générale', soon afterwards renamed 'Banque Royale'. This was followed by the scheme of colonization known as 'Mississippi scheme' in the 'Compagnie des Indes' which, by absorbing various other chartered companies, acquired the monopoly on the trade to America, Africa and China. Moreover, the company obtained the monopoly of tobacco, the control of the mint, the payment of the national debt, and the farm of the taxes. Within a few years Law's companies thus got almost complete control over France's overseas trade, its currency and public finances, to the extend that Law's companies at one point owned more than half of the then known United States. In 1719 the 'Compagnie des Indes' and the 'Banque Royale' were united, and the promising outlooks of the new company lead to an unprecedented speculation in its shares. As known the bubble burst in 1720, cash payments were suspended and Law fled from the country, leaving behind ruined many of his former supporters.The last 2 volumes contain the full texts of the 'mémoires', 'letters patentes', 'édits', 'déclarations', 'arrêts', etc., mostly by the Conseil d'État, as well as many other documents of which many are dealing with the 'Compagnie d'Occident', and the 'Compagnie des Indes Orientales et de la Chine', on which documents the author based this thorough and important history.Marmont du Hautchamp was born in Orléans and fermier des domaines in Flanders. He was also the author of the famous and very rare Histoire générale et particulière du visa (also published in The Hague, in 1743) which also dealt with the activities of John Law and the Mississippi bubble.

HAUTE-GUIENNE -

Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Imprimerie de Vedeilhié, 1780. viii, 251, (1) pp. 4to. Modern cloth. Lavergne, Assemblées provinciales, pp. 67-99. First edition. Proceedings of the first session of the Assemblee as planned by Turgot and created by Necker.The second of the Assemblées provinciales as planned by Turgot and created by Necker, and, together with the first (Berri), one of only two to survive until the Revolution. There was no indemnity for its members. The freedom of the wine-trade was one of the important issues. Another important matter was the reorganisation of the cadastral administration by Henri de Richeprey, the author of the article 'Imposition' in the Encyclopedia of Diderot & d'Alembert. Also agricultural problems were extensively dealt with and old feudal laws concerning landed property were abolished. The meetings and discussions were influenced by the president, Champion de Cicé, a friend and disciple of Turgot. Below the imprint a small piece of paper has been pasted: "Et se trouve à Paris, Chez Moutard, ....."

HAUTE-NORMANDIE -

A Rouen Chez Jac. Jos. Boullenger, 1787. 2 volumes in 1. (4), 416 pp.; 24 pp. 4to. Contemporary marbled calf, spine gilt with raised bands, label with gilt lettering, red edges, rear joint split at top, spine-ends damaged, two corners bumped, some light scratches to binding. Renouvin, Assemblées provinciales, 196 ff. First edition. Rare with the proceedings of the preliminary session of September 1787. President was the cardinal La Rochefoucauld, but the meetings were dominated by Thouret, who gained more and more influence, to become later, in August 1789, president of the Assemblée Nationale. A sixth table, originating from an other publication, has been added to the 5 tables belonging to the first volume. This added table contains: Etat de situation des routes pour 1789.