(MONTESQUIEU, Ch.L. de SECONDAT de). De l'Esprit des Loix. Ou du rapport que les Loix doivent avoir avec la Constitution de chaque Gouvernement, les Moeurs, le Climat, la Religion, le Commerce, &c. Geneva, Barrillot & Fils, (1748). 2 vols. (8), xxiv 522; (4), xvi, 564 pp. 4°. Cont. cf. w. raised bands, dec. gilt backs, brown and green labels, & red edges. (Spines ends of both vols a bit dam. (vol. 1 especially), some sm. wormholes/o. sm. defects to both spines, outer corners a bit worn/chafed, upper endpaper vol. 2 fails, vol. 1 w. some striping in an old hand between pp 30 and 80, annot. in Italian in an old hand on pp. 36/37 and 79 in the lower blank margin of vol. 1, a bit browned throughout, some faint unobtrusive waterstains in places, vol. 1 sl. waterstained at end).
In this work 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. 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'). - First edition with all cancels and the double 'r' spelling of the printer on the title-page as described by Tchemerzine. - Tchemerzine VIII, 459; Kress 4920; Goldsmith 8375. For the very complex printing history of this book (added in photostat) see: C.P. Courtney 'Montesquieu et les imprimeurs de L’Esprit des lois (1748-1758)' pp. 193-216 in 'l'Écrivain et l'imprimeur' (by A. Riffaud, Presse Univ. de Rennes, 2010).€ 5000
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