Quesnay´s Physiocratie, first edition 1768, 67.

THE "BIBLE" OF THE PHYSIOCRATS IN THE RARE FIRST EDITION. (QUESNAY, FRANÇOIS - DU PONT DE NEMOURS, PIERRE-SAMUEL). Physiocratie, ou constitution naturelle du gouvernement le plus avantageux au genre humain. Recueil publié par Du Pont,... 2 parts in 1 vol. A Leyde, et se trouve a Paris (chez Merlin) 1768 - A Pekin, et se trouve a Paris (chez Merlin) 1767.

8:o (188x118 mm.). (4), (i)-cxx, (1)-172, (3), 177-520pp. Engraved frontispiece.
Later (19th century) half cloth, marbled boards, somewhat faded spine, redspeckled edges. Minor foxing. Very rare first edition.

Mixed copy of the Leyden and Pekin editions (both in fact printed in Paris by Didot), various issues.
Both titles with errata on verso. The collation should be as follows: (4), (i)-cxx, (1)-172, (3), 176-520 pp.


Kress 6427 (not mentioning Pekin on title of part II).
François Quesnay (1694-1774), French economist of the Physiocratic school, known for the publishing 1758 of "Tableau économique", which provided the foundations of the ideas of the Physiocrats, and for the discourse on the law of nature in the present work.
Pierre-Samuel du Pont de Nemours (1739-1817), French writer economist, publisher and governement official. In the present book, he advocated low tariffs and free trade among nations. He deeply influenced Adam Smith in his thinking and writings. (Wikipedia).

Provenance: The von Celsing family, Biby.
Photo.