De l’Industrie française
First edition of the first major industrial and commercial treatise of modern France by Chaptal.
The precious copy belonging to Marie-Louise, wife of Napoleon.
225 x 136 mm.
Chaptal, Jean-Antoine Count of. On French Industry. Paris, Antoine-Augustin Renouard, 1819.
Rare first edition of the first major industrial and commercial treatise of modern France.
Kress, C.252 ; Goldsmiths, 22294 ; Einaudi, 1033 ; In French in the Text, no.213.
“Remarkable work” (P. Clément) that presents the state of the French economy at the end of the Napoleonic era and the beginning of the Restoration.
“ The beginnings of Jean-Antoine Chaptal (1756-1832) were brilliant. In 1783, he published the ‘Analytical Table’ of his chemistry course. In 1790, the ‘Elements of Chemistry’ appeared, which were translated into all languages. To his roles as professor and writer, he added that of industrialist. His discoveries made him known beyond France’s borders, but he refused all offers, preferring to exercise his talents in France ” (In French in the Text).
After the revolution of 18 Brumaire, he was called to the Council of State, recently established by the First Consul. He was appointed Minister of the Interior. His action was decisive for the modernization and economic development of the country.
“Never was a ministry given a more useful direction for the well-being and wealth of France. Many important measures are owed to Chaptal’s intelligent initiative: the establishment of stock exchanges, Chambers of Commerce… ”
“The list of his activity between 1800 and 1804 would be too long.”
The Emperor appointed him to the Senate in 1804, made him Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor, and gave him the title of Count of Chanteloup. In 1807, Chaptal dedicated his Applied Chemistry for the Arts to Napoleon.
During the Hundred Days, the general direction of commerce and manufacturing was entrusted to him, and, in 1819, he entered the Chamber of Peers and took part in the work of the Commissions devoted to commerce, industry, and agriculture.
“Mentor of the earliest French industry”, “Chaptal is an innovator and the first to have combined chemistry and industry, theory and practice” (In French in the Text).
“The precision and objectivity of the foundations of his work represent a decisive contribution to the study of political economy” (J. Pigeire).
The precious and moving copy of Marie-Louise, Archduchess of Austria (1791-1847) bound with her monogram.
Marie-Louise, Archduchess of Austria, married Napoleon I in 1810. (O. Hermal, pl. 2654).
“Few men were in a better position to know Napoleon.” (Bibliothèque Universelle and Swiss Review, III, p.664).
