Muratori - Traité sur le bonheur public - 1772

Muratori, Louis-Antoine; Muratori, Jean-François Soli. Treatise on Public Happiness.

Complete work in two volumes.

Lyon, Ve Réguilliat, Bookseller. 1772. Small octavo. XXIV + 420 pages; 574 pages. Full calf bindings with five spine nerves and title and volume labels in morocco, richly adorned spines with gold framing, floral motifs and gold circles in the center of the panels. Red edges.

First French edition of the most important economic work by Muratori, who is best known for his activities as historian and archivist of the ducal library of Modena, but who has also enjoyed growing recognition for his contributions to economic thought). The work is in reasonable condition, top joint split along the entire length for volume 2 with crowns missing and the beginning of a split on volume 1 with the top crown missing. Some light rubbing especially on the joints and small losses at the corners.

The Treatise on Public Happiness by Muratori deals with the question of collective happiness and how it can be achieved in a society. The author explores the various dimensions of public happiness, such as justice, peace, prosperity, and liberty, and proposes solutions to achieve them. Muratori also examines the obstacles that hinder the realization of public happiness and the means to overcome them. The book is regarded as a major work of political philosophy and had a significant influence on contemporary Enlightenment thinkers.

Archivist-librarian ducal at Modena, Ludovico Antonio Muratori is one of the greatest Italian scholars of the 18th century. He is one of the fathers of modern scientific historical method (historiography), built on strong philological requirements and the systematic practice of textual references, essential foundations of historical criticism. In many respects, he appears as the Italian counterpart to Mabillon.

Rare first French edition of this Treatise on Public Happiness, in era bindings in reasonable condition, well complete in two volumes…