Histoire philosophique et politique des établissemens et du commerce des Européens dans les deux Indes

Third and final edition with some parts in first edition, the best and most complete as regards the text, bringing the number of volumes to 10 against the 7 published until then. The work appeared in a luxurious version, quarto (certain octavo printings have thicker and higher quality paper and do not have the same collation, as is the case with ours) and in a more modest version. Ten superb frontispieces by Moreau Le jeune illustrating colonialism including the portrait of Raynal in volume 1 by Cochin re-engraved by Lardy.
Contemporary full marbled and speckled blonde calf binding. Smooth spine decorated with 4 compartmented fleurons (daisy flower). Red morocco title label, green morocco volume label. Triple fillet frame on covers. Traces of surface wear on spines and covers. Head caps of volumes 1 to 7 and 9 and 10 worn or partly worn. Tail caps of volumes 7 to 10 partly worn. Upper joints cracked at head of volumes 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9. Upper joint cracked at tail of volume 7. About ten corners rubbed and denuded. Fresh set with rare worming and some leaves more yellowed.
First published in 1771 in 7 volumes, the Philosophical History of the Two Indies enjoyed dazzling success throughout Europe and America; its success was essentially due to the severe criticism of colonialism, exploitation, slavery and mercantilism. It was condemned to be suppressed by decree of the Council of 19 December 1779 and condemned to the fire by decree of the Parliament of Paris of 25 May 1781. An emblematic book of the Enlightenment, presenting itself as a history of international commerce, the work is above all a violent attack against European colonialism and its arrogance, slavery and the enslavement of peoples, against the Church which lends its support to European hypocrisy. We know today that Diderot collaborated from the first edition and that he supervised the organization of the texts, which he would perfect in the third edition (by adding numerous texts from his pen and those of other collaborators, such as D'Holbach), transforming the initial work into a true war machine of the philosophers' party. The book is not merely accusations, it seeks on the contrary and even implores peaceful solutions, agreements between peoples. History was not mistaken since it saw in Raynal a promoter of the French Revolution. It should finally be noted that the work concerns world commerce, as much in South America as in Asia and Europe, and all countries are studied and represented, Peru and Chile for example. The 6th volume contains a physical, economic and political description of the American colonies. Raynal's work forms the most important bibliographical document on America and the first book to accord such importance to the colonies.