Item Tag: 1899

Persian Letters by Montesquieu Translated into English by John Davidson Etchings by Ed. de Beaumont and engraved by E. Boilvin. Description: This set has been handsomely rebound in full calf; spines are older (original?) leather with gilt lettering and floral decoration; aeg, patterned endpapers.* Three volumes, complete set.* Matching patterned slipcase is solidly constructed with individual spaces for the three volumes.* Features include ribbon markers.gold stamping to covers, edges and spines.* Size: 12mo – over 6¾” – 7¾” tall / Approx. 130 pages per volume. Condition: * Slipcase is Good. Modest abrasions and shelf wear to all edges; semi-opaque ink application to top of slipcase. Very solid in its construction.* Covers: The front and rear covers are in near fine condition, resplendent with gold tooling. Text block gilding may be described as “dazzling good” and still very bright.* The spines are moderately abraded with laking. * Endpapers are pristine with no prior owner’s marks, book plates or notations.* The text block is completely solid and square. Binding is firm. The pages are almost completely without blemish. No foxing. All etchings present. * The rebind was carried out by the noted firm of Sangorski & Sutcliffe of London, noted on inside front sheets of each volume. Questions? Happy to provide more info or photos. Remarks: Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu (1689 – 1755), generally referred to as simply Montesquieu, was a French judge, man of letters, historian, and political philosopher. He is the principal source of the theory of separation of powers, which is implemented in many constitutions throughout the world. He is also known for doing more than any other author to secure the place of the word despotism in the political lexicon. His anonymously published The Spirit of Law (1748), which was received well in both Great Britain and the American colonies, influenced the Founding Fathers of the United States in drafting the U.S. Constitution. A5