Histoire philosophique et politique des établissemens et du commerce Européens dans les deux Indes.

7 vol., 8vo; portrait, 7 front. and 7 maps (text n.c., occ. ff. sl. browned, some foxing).

Contemp. marbled calf, gilt-ruled covers with three fillets, gilt-orn. flat spines, marbled edges (sl. rubbed). Mod. slipcaces.

Second ed. (1st 1770) of this important work for the history of ideas in the 18th c. ("l'un des ouvrages clefs de la crise de l'Ancien Régime", cfr "En français..."). Written by the Abbé Raynal in collaboration with other authors such as Diderot and Mme de Staël, the book was put on the Index in 1774 and burnt in 1781 because of Raynal's ardent criticism of the royal family, the Church and of his denounciation of slavery. IIl. with 7 front., author's portrait by St Aubin after Cochin and 7 fold. maps.
Ref. Sabin 68080. - Cohen 854. - En français dans le texte 166. - Barbier II:823-824.
Prov. Christian De Backer (mod. bookpl.).