Montesquieu - Œuvres de Montesquieu - 1795-1796

The Works of Montesquieu
Author: Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) was an influential French thinker of the Enlightenment, best known as a political theorist, legal philosopher and author. Bailiff (magistrate) in Bordeaux. Montesquieu wrote about politics, society, religion and culture with a sharp eye and an ironic tone, Best known are Lettres persanes (1721) – a satirical epistolary novel in which two Persian travelers observe and critically question European (especially French) culture and politics. And: De l’esprit des lois (On the Spirit of the Laws, 1748) – his magnum opus on state organization, law and society, in which he systematically expounds the principle of the separation of powers. This principle has subsequently inspired constitutions around the world. This edition Oeuvres from 1795/1796 is a collected edition of his works that appeared in multiple parts after his death. Such an edition is important for historical literary research and illustrates how Montesquieu was read and valued shortly after the French Revolution.

Text title page: MONTESQUIEU Charles de SECONDAT de
The Works of Montesquieu. New edition, in 5 volumes.
In Paris, at Gueffier and Langlois, Year IV [1795/1796] of the French Republic.

Contents: part 1: Engraved portrait in the frontispiece; 163, 516 pp.; part 2: 16, 673 pp.; part 3: 8, 636 pp. with 2 folding maps; part 4: 4, 572 pp.; part 5: 633 pp.

Condition report: excellent; well bound in half-leather; good text block; beautiful engraving of Montesquieu; spine decorated with a green title panel and gold; nicely complete; some signs of use and wear; photos form an integral part of the description of this really beautiful set.

Size: 20 x 13 cm
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