Claude-Adrien HELVÉTIUS - De l'Esprit - 1761

HELVÉTIUS Claude-Adrien, De l'Esprit, Chez Arkstée & Merkus, Amsterdam, 2 volumes, 1761, I. XII-467 pp.; II. 504 pp.

In-12°, full contemporary calf binding, spine with five nerves decorated, adorned with floral motifs and gilt compartments, title and volume numbers gilded on a red morocco piece. Bindings heads/heads decorated. Capitals ornamented. Frame of the boards with a gilt border. All edges stained red. Marbled guards and contre-guards.

Froitures of ordinary use with epidermal wear on the back and on the boards. Losses and damage on the boards. Spines, corners and edges rubbed. Some gilding worn. Missing title piece for volume I. Small wormholes. Interior with foxing, stains and a few tears without gravity. Quite fresh and fairly clean. Sticker pasted on the contre-guard of volume I bearing hand-written mentions: "De l'esprit, 2 vol. 4 francs" & "Vieux livres".

The original edition in 1 volume, octavo, of 643 pp. was published in Paris, Chez Dunand, in 1758. "De l'Esprit" provoked waves of indignation throughout Paris and thereby secured lasting success. The work, condemned by the Sorbonne, was immediately proscribed by the Congregation of the Index, on 31 January 1759.

"An arrêt of the Parliament, rendered 6 February 1759, caused this work, condemned by all Paris, to be burnt on the 10th of the same month, which did not prevent it from being reprinted several times since, notably in Amsterdam, in 1758 and in 1739, 2 vol. in-8; in 3 vol. in-12; Amsterdam, 1776, and London, 1782, 2 vol. in-12, and more recently, Paris, A. Chassériau (*A. André), 1822, 2 vol. in-18, 5 fr." in Quérard, J.-M. 1827-1839. La France littéraire ou Dictionnaire bibliographique des savants, historiens et gens de lettres de la France... Tome 4. H-LA.

Dimensions (cm): 16.6 x 10.5 x 3
Weight (kg): 0.628