Sale 2488 - Early Printed, Medical, Scientific & Travel Books, October 16, 2018

104 104 c   [MONTESQUIEU, CHARLES DE SECONDAT, Baron de.] De l’Esprit des Loix. [8], xxiv, 522; [4], xvi, 564, [4] pages, including half-titles, and list of 47 errata on 2 leaves at end. 2 volumes. 4to, 253x193 mm, contemporary mottled sheep gilt, brittle with surface crackling, Volume 1 spine chipped at top and front joint starting at top; occasional toning or browning, few small wormholes through blank lower margins in both volumes and blank upper margins in first volume, wormtrails through last quarter of second volume causing some text loss, contemporary owner’s signature on titles. Geneva: Barrillot, & Fils, [1748] [2,000/3,000] first edition of Montesquieu’s classic comparative study of political institutions, “a great influence on the framing of the American Constitution, and . . . one of the key texts for the liberal tradition in Europe” (NOCLF).Tchemerzine (1977) IV, 929; Printing and the Mind of Man 197. 105 c   [MONTESQUIEU,CHARLES DE SECONDAT, Baron de.] Défense de l’Esprit des Loix. 207 pages. 12mo, 162x94 mm, contemporary mottled calf gilt; occasional light browning or foxing. Bookplate of Francis John Hughes. Geneva: Barrillot, & Fils, 1750 [300/500] first edition . Tchemerzine (1977) IV, 931a.