N.p. [Paris], n.n., 1758.
6 parts gathered in 2 4to volumes [252 x 190 mm] of: I/ (1) bl.l., 1 frontispiece, viii pp., 192 ; (3) ll., 266 pp. ; (3) ll., 263 pp., (1) bl.l.; II// (1) bl.l., (4) ll., 278 pp., 81 pp. (pp. 79-80 twice); viii pp., 167; (1) l., 118 pp., (1) half-title l., pp. 119 to 279, (2) ll. of table, (1) bl.l. Full light brown calf, triple gilt fillet on the covers, gilt coat of arms on the center, spines ribbed and richly decorated, red and light brown morocco lettering pieces, red edges. Contemporary binding.
First complete edition of “L’ami des Hommes”, extremely rare in its contemporary binding with arms. Tchemerzine, IV, 750.
First physiocratic edition illustrated with N. Blakey’s frontispiece.
The copy is indeed complete with the 6 parts, including 3 of them published here for the first time.
In the 6th part, Quesnay’s economics table is displayed in full page. It is the first time it is published for the public, 8 years before la Physiocratie.
The publication of l’Ami des hommes in 1756 earned Mirabeau a real triumph. But it is after this publication that he met Quesnay and it is only in 1760 that he supported the physiocrats’ doctrine of which he will become one of the most influent propagandists.
An exceptional copy preserved in contemporary light brown calf with the arms of Louis-Antoine du Prat, marquis of Barbançon.
“Louis-Antoine du Prat, marquis of Barbançon, older son of François, count of Barbançon, marquis of Cany, corporal of the army, and of Claire-Charlotte-Séraphine du Tillet de Saint-Mathieu, born on August 3rd, 1714, became colonel of cavalry in 1735, corporal on May 2nd, 1744, marshal on January 1st, 1748, governor of Coucy, first hunter of the duke of Orléans in March 1752 and general lieutenant on May 1st, 1758. He had married, on February 22nd, 1735, Angélique-Françoise-Joséphine de Thiard de Bissy, and as a second wife, on March 26th, 1749, Antoinette-Eléonore du Fay de la Tour-Maubourg”. Olivier pl. 484.
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