De l'Homme

2 volumes in 2 octavo volumes of: I/ XXXII and 326 pp.; II/ (1) f., (1) blank f., 412 pp. Red morocco, triple gilt fillet framing the boards, corner fleurons, smooth spine decorated with gilt fillets and fleurons, title labels in citron morocco, volume labels in olive morocco, gilt fillet on the edges, gilt inner roll, gilt edges on marbled backgrounds, endpapers decorated with gold stars and dots on a white background. Contemporary binding.

190 x 122 mm.

Helvetius, Claude Adrien. On Man, His Intellectual Faculties and His EducationLondon, Société Typographique, 1773.

Extremely rare edition of Helvétius’ “On Man,” previously unknown to Tchemerzine, published the same year as the original. Tchemerzine, III, 676; David Smith, Bibliography of the writings of Helvetius, H2.

“This book is a justification of ‘On Mind,’ and even bolder than the latter” (Tchemerzine).

Wary after the difficulties encountered during the publication of De l’esprit, having been placed on the Index and condemned by the Parlement of Paris, Helvétius (1715-1771) decided to continue writing but would not publish again during his lifetime. In this essay, which extends the reflections begun with De l’Esprit, Helvétius argues that the mind, genius, gifts, and virtue are the products of education. For this materialist and sensualist philosopher, education alone is the cause of human differences. A careful reader of Helvétius, Diderot appreciated but also contested his theories by introducing the argument of hereditary or genetic differences.

The author sets himself the same goal as in his previous work, De l’Esprit: to establish, through the scientific study of individual and social facts, the laws essential to the happiness of nations. Anticipating the transformation of France into a federal republic, with complete freedom of thought and activity, the author sketches, in a way, a citizen’s catechism in which the public good stands as the supreme law.

As a continuation and elaboration of his treatise on the Mind, On Man and His Intellectual Faculties differs from the former in its wealth of detail, which is far more effective and relevant. Both works, however, contain the same paradoxes, display the same erudition, and are based on the same faith in man and his abilities.

The measures taken by the French Revolution towards the Church, as well as the idea of a secular religion that might become, in a way, a state religion, find their origin and first expression in this work.

“De l’Homme was a great publishing success, to judge by the number of editions – four in 1773, four in 1774, five more by the end of the century. It was translated into English, German and Danish before the French Revolution and into Russian after the Russian Revolution. Like De l’Esprit, it was duly condemned by the Paris Parlement and hunted by the police; it enjoyed a ‘succès de scandale’” (David Smith).

“This edition, sold for 275 francs in old red morocco at the Backer sale, is unknown to us. Published under the care of Prince Galitzin, it was dedicated by him to Empress Catherine II” (Tchemerzine).

Very beautiful and valuable copy, large margins, preserved in its fine contemporary red morocco bindings.

Provenance: Library of H.M.S. Michel de Villebois, with ex-libris.