Geneva

First edition, one of 6000 numbered copies on alfa bouffant paper, the only printing after 60 vélin du marais paper.
A good copy.

First edition, one of 11 numbered copies on vergé de Montval paper, the tirage de tête.
A good copy.

First edition, one of 12 numbered copies on vergé pur fil paper, the tirage de tête.
One small tear to foot of spine, a good copy.

First edition.
With illustrations by Joan Miro.
A very good copy.

First edition, one of 1000 numbered copies on vélin chamois paper.
A good copy retaining its advertising band.

First edition of which there were no large paper copies.
Richly illustrated.
Small tears, not serious, to head and foot of spine.

First edition, one of 125 numbered copies on volumineux blanc paper, the only large paper copies after 10 on Madagascar paper.
A good copy.

first edition.
Signed autograph of Peter and Denise Humbourg Peter (Loiselet) and his wife.
Book illustrated with 91 reproductions in black and colors of works by René Seyssaud.

first edition on the current paper.
Signed autograph of Starobinski Professor Georges Blin.
Many illustrations evoking the Circus in the art.
slightly yellowed and marginally boards.

First edition.
Illustrated.
A good copy.

First edition, one of 250 numbered copies on laid in the form reserved for the press office.
autograph dedication of the author signed autograph of Paul Morand his friend François Legueu.
Minor small tears in the top and bottom of the back.

An attractive edition with a frontispiece illustration of a sculpted bust of Corneille engraved by Watelet after Pierre, and 34 figures hors texte etched after Gravelot within Louis XVth-style ornamental frames, also by the same artist.
Contemporary marbled brown calf, spine in six compartments with gilt compartments and fleurons as well as red and green morocco title and volume labels. Double gilt fillet to edges of covers. All edges marbled.
Small, skillful restorations to binding.
A fine copy.

First edition, one of 60 numbered copies on Ingres guarro, head print.
Nice copy.

Edition of wich no leading copies exists.
Precious autograph signed by Romain Rolland, dated 1924, Henri de Montherlant "... in hostile harmony" enriched this quote Heraclitus Greek translation which reads: "We get the most beautiful harmony of things that differ . "
Reading marks traced in black ink in the margins of some pages, probably by Henry de Montherlant.
Small tears with light gaps heads and feet flat, which is inevitable in view of the extreme fragility of this laid paper of poor quality.

A counterfeit of the first edition published by Barrillot (with two ‘r's) in Geneva in 1748. This counterfeit was produced by Laurent Durand and was printed in Paris by Prault, and is – thus – the second printed edition.

Contemporary light brown speckled calf. Spine in six compartments with frames and gilt fleurons as well as title and volume labels in light brown morocco. Triple gilt fillet frame to covers, gilt frame of dentelles inside covers, all edges red. A few pale light angular dampstains. Trace of dampstaining to upper cover of volume I, small repairs to headpieces, joints (at head and foot) and corners.

An emblematic, definitive book of the 18^th century, the Spirit of the Laws, or the principles and tendencies which define the making of laws, had a decisive influence on political life and was a guide to the writing of the Constitution of 1791 as well as that of the United States.
Montesquieu's (1689- 1755) general argument is that laws are not purely made by men – the spirit of the laws is “the various relationships of the laws with different things,” – but that many elements go into making them. There are, thus, physical elements (the climate), moral elements (religion, custom), and so on. Moreover, a primitive justice is at the root of laws – there is thus indeed a spirit of the laws. But the book is not merely a treatise on the spirit that motivates law; it is above all a treatise on government and first and foremost, freedom. Though the book was extensively read, it was received with some coolness by the philosophers, who did not recognize Montesquieu as one of their own and held his conservatism against him. It was also heavily criticized by members of the Church.
A very good copy.

Third edition.
Iconography.
Small scratch to foot of spine (with a spot to head), a good copy.

New edition printed to 550 copies.
A good copy.

First edition.
Contemporary half terracotta-red cloth over marbled paper boards, spine with gilt fillets, tiny tears to edges of covers.
Rare autograph inscription signed by Henri-Frédéric Amiel.
A little light insignificant spotting.