History of Ideas
[Du contrat social ou] Principes du droit politique
“ The Social Contract remains Rousseau’s greatest work. It had the most profound influence on the political thinking of the generation following its p…
Century : 18
Sciences › Architecture
[Manuscrit de fortifications]
Watercolored manuscript of fortifications around 1730 inspired by Vauban (1633-1707) and the engineer Bélidor (1697-1761).41 folding prints watercolor…
History › French Revolution
[Révolution Française]. Mémoires pour servir à l'histoire de l'année 1789
First edition of one of the earliest accounts of the day of July 14th, 1789, preserved in its revolutionary bindings marked "Pro Patria Fondeville".…
History of Ideas
Almanach royal de 1789
The last Royal Almanac published before the Revolution.The famous 1789 Royal Almanac in contemporary morocco bearing the arms of the Baron de Mo…
Economy
An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations
“The first and greatest classic of modern economic thought” (PMM).Very rare second octavo edition, and fourth edition overall, of The Wealth of Nation…
History
Annales Eclesiasticos
First edition of this very rare festival book recounting the political and festive events that took place in Seville from 1671 to 1746.…
History of Ideas
Catéchisme de la nature
One of the rarest first editions of a revolutionary educational text in superb contemporary morocco.…
Art
Code de musique pratique
Perhaps the finest recorded copy of the original edition of Rameau's Code de musique pratique, bound at the time with the arms of the Marquis de Marig…
Literature
Collection de differens ouvrages anciens
Very rare first edition – one of the 2 copies printed on blue paper – of this prestigious « collection limited to 56 copies, so well-known to collect…
Literature
Collection des anciens poètes français
The famous "Coustelier" edition, printed 3 centuries ago, of our old French poets, such as Coquillart, the Farce of Master Pathelin, Guillaume Crétin,…
History › Antiquity
Commentaires
Sumptuous presentation copy of Caesar's Gallic War translated by De Wailly in contemporary red morocco with the arms of King Louis XVI.…
History of Ideas
Compte-rendu au roi
“One of the greatest economic bestsellers of the 18th century” (K. Carpenter, "Economic bestseller before 1850").First edition of Necker’s famous Comp…
History of Ideas
Considérations sur les causes de la grandeur des romains et de leur décadence
Rare first edition first issue of this great text by Montesquieu preserved in its contemporary binding.…
Literature
Contes orientaux
The Oriental Tales by Caylus adorned with 8 beautiful engravings.A very fine copy of this rare first edition preserved in its contemporary binding wit…
History
Correspondance à Louis Fuzelier
Very rare set of 24 autograph letters from the first valet of King Louis XV, filled with anecdotes about Versailles and Compiègne.François Bachelier w…
History of Ideas › Politics
De l'Esprit des Loix
First state original edition – extremely rare – out of four.During her research, Catherine Volpilhac-Auger listed 9 first state copies in public colle…
History › Americana
De la France et des États-Unis
The American Revolution and France.First edition.An attractive wide-margined copy preserved in its original decorative wrappers.…
Art
Description des principales pierres gravées du cabinet de S.A.S. Mgr le duc d'Orléans
“ The most beautiful work that had appeared in this genre at the time ” (Michaud).First edition – one of the luxury copies printed on large Dutch pape…
History › Naval & Military
Détail sur la navigation aux côtes de Saint-Domingue
Very rare first edition about Santo Domingo preserved in an attractive contemporary green Morocco with the arms (covered) and crowned monogram of…
History of Ideas
Discours qui a remporté le prix à l'Académie de Dijon en l'année 1750
Very rare first edition of the first philosophical discourse by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, in which the author asserts for the first time that man is natu…
History of Ideas
Discours sur l’origine et les fondements de l’inégalité parmi les hommes
First edition of Rousseau's Discourse that “marks a pivotal moment in the history of political doctrines.”A very fine copy printed on Dutch paper, pre…
History of Ideas
Documents historiques autour de la cocarde tricolore
“The sacred symbol of liberty.”Very rare collection of historical texts relating to the tricolor cockade accompanied by an exceptionally rare leaflet…
History of Ideas
Du contrat social, ou Principes du droit politique
One of the finest editions of the Social Contract from the revolutionary period.A superb copy printed on large paper, bound in contemporary blue moroc…
Literature
Émile, ou De l'éducation
One of the major books of the Age of Enlightenment bound in sumptuous contemporary red morocco by Derome the Younger.From the library of Doctor Ripaul…
Sciences
Essai sur les phénomènes relatifs aux disparitions périodiques de l'anneau de Saturne
Rare and important first edition of this treatise on astronomy, prized by scientists, analyzing the disappearances of Saturn's ring.A superb copy prin…
History of Ideas
Essais de morale
Les Essais by Nicole bound in morocco with the arms of the Countess of Provence (1753-1810).Collected edition of this famous work printed in 24 volume…
Economy
Estats et Menus
The precious original manuscript of the King's Household Expenses preserved in its contemporary morocco with royal arms.…
Literature
Fables
The Fables of La Fontaine illustrated with 276 beautiful figures, bound with the coat of arms of the Countess of Rosny, daughter of the Duchess of Ber…
History › Americana
Histoire de Kentucke
First French edition translated by Parraud.A fine copy preserved in its remarkable and intriguing revolutionary binding adorned with 4 gilded Phrygian…
Literature
Histoire de l'admirable Don Quichotte de La Manche
"The author of Hamlet and the author of Don Quixote are the two greatest poets produced by the modern ages" (Heine).A superb copy enriched with the be…
Travel & Exploration
Histoire des aventuriers flibustiers
The History of the Buccaneers in America illustrated with 7 figures and maps.Sought-after collective edition.A very fine copy.…
Literature
Histoire du chevalier des Grieux et de Manon Lescaut
Edition considered by many modern publishers as "the definitive original" enhanced with two parts composed in 1756.Superb and precious copy bearing th…
History
Histoire philosophique et politique
First edition of "one of the key works of the crisis of the Ancien Régime", resulting from the collaboration of Raynal, Diderot, and Holbach.Precious…
Literature
Histoire secrète du prince Croqu'Etron et de la princesse Foirette
Very rare first edition of this scatological tale, an unexpected work by Marie-Madeleine de Lubert, friend of Voltaire and successful author of fairy…
History
Histoire Universelle composée par ordre de Mesdames de France
The royal copy bringing together the Queen of France Marie Leszczynska (1703-1768), Madame Sophie of France (1734-1782), and Jacques Hardion (1686-176…
Literature
Histoires ou contes du tems passé
The most attractive, wide-margined, copy mentioned and described by Cohen of this edition of Perrault’s Fairy tales including for the first time …
History › Americana
Historical and Political Reflections on the Rise and Progress of the American Rebellion
A close ally of Benjamin Franklin, Galloway here proposes "A plan of a proposed Union between Great Britain and the Colonies" to the Continental Congr…
History
History of New-York
First French edition of the first history of New York in contemporary binding.…
Literature
Jacques le Fataliste et son maître
First edition.A wide-margined copy preserved in its contemporary binding.…
History of Ideas
Journal du Voyage de Michel de Montaigne en Italie
Indispensable complement to the Essays, this journey to Italy was to profoundly influence Montaigne’s sensibility. Its influence would be decisive on…
Economy
L'Ordre naturel et essentiel des Sociétés Politiques
Rare first edition of "the most complete exposition of the Physiocratic doctrine" (Adam Smith).The precious Marshal Soubise copy, "close and sincere f…
Literature
L'Orphelin de la Chine
First edition.A very fine copy preserved in its contemporary binding with the arms of Louis-Charles de Bourbon, Count of Eu on the spine.…
Literature
L’année des dames nationales
A very fine and rare copy complete with all 31 engraved plates including the one dated October 29 depicting the execution of Charlotte Corday, preserv…
Literature
La Nouvelle Héloïse
Very rare augmented edition.A very fine and precious copy in contemporary armorial binding.…
Literature
La Nouvelle Héloïse
La Nouvelle-Héloïse illustrated with pretty figures by Moreau.One of the rare copies printed on large vellum paper 8vo format, untrimmed and unopened,…
History of Ideas › Philosophy
La Raison par alphabet
The Philosophical Dictionary by Voltaire, burned in Geneva and banned in Rome and Paris, in contemporary binding with the arms of the Marquis de Barba…
Gastronomy
La Science du Maître d'Hôtel Cuisinier
Very rare first edition of this classic of gastronomic literature.With Menon's handwritten signature at the bottom of page 1.A very fine copy in conte…
History
La vie de la vénérable mère Marguerite Marie
"Very fine copy of this book dedicated to Queen Marie Leczinska.This copy belonged to King Louis XV; its spine bears the royal cipher repeated 5 times…
History
La vie de Madame de Miramion
Rare first edition – it was just reprinted twice in 2021 – of the life of Madame de Miramion, who was abducted on August 7, 1648, by Count Bussy-Rabut…
History of Ideas › Linguistic
Latin-French manuscript of rethoric
Original Latin-French manuscript of rethoric calligraphed towards 1745.…
History › French Revolution
Le Catéchisme du genre humain
“This work was sent to print two months before the miraculous and forever memorable day of the storming of the Bastille.”Very rare first edition of th…
Literature
Le Décaméron
Precious copy Amé de St Didier (armorial ex-libris) and Guy Pellion, one of the most valuable to have appeared on the market in several decades.One of…
Literature
Le Roman de la Rose
“ Le Roman de la Rose was the first French ‘classic’; it is the medieval romance par excellence ” (C. Marchello-Nizia, In French in the Text).Elegant…
Literature
Le Roman de la Rose
“The Roman de la Rose was the first French ‘classic’; it is the medieval romance par excellence” (C. Marchello-Nizia, In French in the Text).Beautiful…
History
Les Deux Harangues des habitants de la paroisse de Sarcelles
A superb 18th-century mosaic binding from the Petits Classiques Workshop.For having published these "sarcelades", the author was imprisoned in the Bas…
History
Les Entretiens des cafés de Paris
The first coffeehouse in Paris in 1702.The very rare first edition – unknown to Brunet – of the utmost interest for the history of coffeehouses and th…
History
Les Infortunes d'un détenu...
Superb autograph manuscript presented with a dedication to his cousin Duval from the first successful anti-Robespierrist novel by Joseph-Nicolas de Ro…
History of Ideas
Les Princesses Malabares
First edition of this utopia set in India, a famous satire of religion and French society in general.Very fine copy preserved in its delicate contempo…
Literature
Lettres anglaises
First French edition of Richardson's masterpiece, owing to the novelistic talent of the author of Manon Lescaut, featuring in its original edition 32…
Literature
Lettres de M. de Voltaire
First edition of Voltaire's intimate correspondence, very rare in contempoary morocco.…
Literature
Lettres de Madame de Maintenon
First complete edition of the Letters of Madame de Maintenon (1635-1719) bound in red morocco with the arms of the Countess of Provence (1753-1810).…
History of Ideas
Lettres de S. Augustin
The Letters of Saint Augustine bound in red morocco with the coat of arms of the Countess of Provence.…
Travel & Exploration
Lettres édifiantes et curieuses
The authoritative edition of the travel accounts of Jesuit fathers in America, the Indies, the Levant, and China, illustrated with 54 engravings inclu…
Art
Mémoires
The unique copy described by Cohen, on large paper adorned with the exceptional suite by Odieuvre sumptuously bound in green morocco with dentelle dec…
History
Mes gaietés de quatre mois
Very rare first edition.This fine copy, bound and decorated in morocco, was long considered a unicum: a single copy located in a composite volume kept…
Travel & Exploration
Mœurs des sauvages amériquains, comparées aux mœurs des premiers temps
The most precious copy listed on the market for several decades, bound in contemporary citron morocco with a wide lace decoration bearing the arms of…
Art
Musei Capitolini Tomus
“The rare and precious volumes bearing the inscription "Menus plaisirs du roy" were part of the king's library, located in the "small apartment" occup…
Sciences › Natural History
Natural history of uncommon birds
“At its date the Natural History and gleanings was one of the most important of all Bird Books, both as a Fine Bird Book and a work on ornithology. It…
History
Nouvelle description de la ville de Paris et de tout ce qu’elle contient de plus remarquable
The description of Paris by Brice illustrated with 41 plates, bound in red morocco with the coat of arms of the Duchess of Orléans, one of the rarest…
History of Ideas
Nouvelles observations sur les États-Généraux de France
Very rare first edition of this remarkable text by J.-J. Mounier, who played an important role during the French Revolution.A precious copy bound in c…
Literature
O Pai de Familia
Very rare first Portuguese edition of Un Père de famille, a symbol of the importation of French Enlightenment into Portugal in the 18th century.…
History of Ideas
Organt
Rare first edition of Saint-Just’s Organt, “a licentious poem of which copies have become uncommon” (Brunet).The work was banned and seized by th…
Sciences
Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica
Precious copy of Newton's Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica (1643-1727) in its elegant contemporary vellum with a spine decorated in gilt g…
Literature
Poèmes dramatiques
The famous copy bringing together the 5 volumes in mosaic and decorated morocco from the “Atelier des Petits Classiques” binding the works of Thomas C…
Art
Promenades ou itineraire des jardins de Chantilly
First edition preserved in its contemporary binding with the crowned monogram of the Empress of Russia Maria Feodorovna.…
Economy
Recherches et considérations sur les finances de France
A very fine untrimmed copy preserved in publisher's boards, as issued.…
Sciences
Recherches sur les volcans éteints
First edition of the famous work on volcanoes by Faujas de Saint Fond, adorned with 20 large engraved plates.A very fine copy from one of the subscrib…
Literature
Recueil des pièces mises au Théâtre François
Rare first edition of Le Sage's theatre.Precious copy bound in red morocco with the coat of arms of the Countess of Provence (1753-1810).…
Literature
Romans et Contes
The famous edition of Voltaire's Novels and Tales illustrated by Monnet. The copy of Count Szaniecki bound in contemporary morocco.…
Art
Seize gouaches originales pour illustrer les Aventures de Télémaque
The exceptional prestigious copy from the Cortland-Bishop library featuring, not the 16 engravings by Moitte (1764-1810) hand-colored at the time, but…
Literature
Soirées du bois de Boulogne
“In the 20th century, F. C. Green was the first to recognize the importance of Caylus’s Realist Short Stories” (R. Godenne).“The Count of Caylus (1692…
History › Americana
The way to wealth
The way to wealth by Benjamin Franklin.Rare original collective edition.One of the rare copies on large vellum paper containing "Observations on the S…
Economy
Théorie de l'impôt
First edition.“Mirabeau develops the principles of the new school with a frankness that earned him many supporters and led to his imprisonment” (INED)…
Sciences
Théorie et pratique des longitudes en mer
De Charnières invented the megameter, an astronomical telescope capable of measuring angles up to 20°.Very rare first edition dedicated to King Louis…
History
Traité des mines
A precious manuscript with numerous period-colored illustrations, preserved in its contemporary vellum.…
Art
Traité des pierres précieuses
First edition of one of the most beautiful French books on jewelry, precious stones, and the art of adornment published in the Age of Enlightenment, a…
History of Ideas
Traitez du libre-arbitre, et de la concupiscence
Bossuet: "A master of the French language who perhaps never had his equal, one of those to whom our country owes the most for its universal literary m…
Travel & Exploration
Viage al Estrecho de Magallanes
Original edition of "Viage al Estrecho de Magallanes Por el Capitan Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa en Los aňos de 1579 y 1580".Precious and superb royal co…
Literature
Vida y hechos del ingenioso hidalgo don Quixote de La Mancha
Don Quixote bound for the Princess of Lamballe, the close and devoted friend of Queen Marie-Antoinette, in striking green morocco of the period.“The b…
Travel & Exploration
Voyage aux Indes orientales et à la Chine
“Classic record of natural history explorations and discoveries in the Far East, which included explorations in Ceylon, the Philippines, Moluccas…
Travel & Exploration
Voyage fait par ordre du Roi en 1771 et 1772
The American War of Independence, Verdun de la Crenne (1741-1805) and the first edition of his Journey to America and Africa printed in 1778 and adorn…
Travel & Exploration
Voyage historique de l'Amérique méridionale
Rare first French edition of this Voyage to South America, adorned with two engraved frontispieces and 53 plates and maps, most of them folding.A very…
History of Ideas
[Du contrat social ou] Principes du droit politique
« The Social Contract remains Rousseau’s greatest work. It had the most profound influence on the political thinking of the generation following its p…
Travel & Exploration
Breve practica, y regimen del confessonario de Indios
Very rare first edition of this confession manual for the Indians intended for seminarians, printed in Mexico.Beautiful copy preserved in its contempo…
History of Ideas
Censure de la Faculté de Théologie de Paris contre le livre qui a pour titre Émile ou de l'éducation
First edition of the censure pronounced against the 19 heresies noted in Rousseau’s Émile, condemned to be burned by the executioner.A very fine copy…
History › French Revolution
De l’importance des opinions religieuses
“A metaphysics book that must equally displease priests and philosophers, and which could be condemned on the same day in Geneva, Rome, and Constantin…
History of Ideas
De la Nature
Extremely rare first edition complete with volumes 2, 3, and 4, as it was banned and placed on the index as early as 1762, of this materialist philoso…
History of Ideas
Dictionnaire philosophique portatif
First edition of an extremely rare work, one of the greatest texts of the Enlightenment, Voltaire's masterwork to “crush the infamous one.”“The impact…