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

Third and final edition, the best and most complete in terms of text, bringing the number of volumes to 10 from the 7 published previously, here with a relay title dated 1781; copies are indeed found with title pages bearing both dates of 1780 and 1781. The work appeared in a luxurious version, in quarto, and in this octavo version. The illustration includes a portrait of Raynal by Cochin (with the inscription: Le défenseur de la liberté, de la vérité...) as frontispiece to volume I and 9 fine figures as frontispieces to the other volumes, by Moreau le Jeune and engraved by De Launay, Delignon and Simonet. The quarto atlas was published separately and could be joined to the edition according to the purchaser's wishes. The volumes are complete with all half-titles and the 10 errata leaves at the end.
Contemporary full green morocco binding. Decorated smooth spine. Red morocco title and volume labels. Triple gilt ruling on boards. Spines uniformly faded. Traces of rubbing. Superb copy, very rare in green morocco.
Edmond and Jules de Goncourt bookplate designed and engraved by Gavarni. Edmond de Goncourt's signature above the bookplate. It should be noted that fine 18th-century books are rare in the Goncourt library.
First published in 1771 in 7 volumes, with the collaboration of D'Holbach and Diderot, the Histoire philosophique des deux Indes achieved lightning success throughout Europe and America; its success was essentially due to its 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 Age of Enlightenment, presenting itself as a history of international commerce, the work is above all a violent pamphlet against European colonialism and its arrogance, slavery and the subjugation of peoples, against the church which lends its support to European hypocrisy. The result was not long in coming, and the book was burned in a public square in Paris. 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 by no means only accusations, on the contrary it seeks and even implores peaceful solutions, understandings between peoples. History was not mistaken since it saw in Raynal a promoter of the French Revolution. It is an extremely rich work, an encyclopedia of European voyages and a colonial history of all continents and all countries conquered and colonized by Europeans.