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63
[DIDEROT (Denis) (1713-1784)]
The item was sold for 31 592 €
Fees include commission and taxes.
[DIDEROT (Denis) (1713-1784)]
Principles of moral philosophy or essay by Mr. S*** on the merit of virtue. With reflections. Amsterdam [i.e. Paris], Zacharie Châtelain, 1745.
Two parts in one volume in-12 (97 x 160 mm), XXX-297 pp. and (5) ff. and 2 plates by Durand engraved by Fessard. Contemporary marbled calf, decorated spine, red morocco title page, decorated edges. Modern half-marbled morocco slipcase, spine gilt, gilt title. (Skilful restorations to the headpieces and hinges| some occasional small brown spots.)
First edition of Diderot's first real work.
The philosopher had begun his literary career in 1743 with the publication of a first translation (The Grecian history of Temple Stanyan). However, the Principles of Moral Philosophy, far from being a simple translation of Lord Shaftesbury's Inquiry concerning Virtue and Merit (1699), is really his first philosophical work. The work corresponds more to a free interpretation, in such a way that "the Essay of Mr. S... which was properly only a metaphysical demonstration, was converted into quite considerable elements of morality", as Diderot notes in his Preliminary Address.
"This exercise which Diderot carried out on an English original was more a paraphrase than a translation. It is a very important work to understand the evolution of his thought. [...] There was some danger in presenting to the French public a work that so frankly affirmed the existence of a natural morality, independent of the sanctions of a given religion or church. (Arthur M. Wilson, Diderot, sa vie et son œuvre, Paris, Laffont/Ramsay, 1985, p. 44). Thus, the Principles of Moral Philosophy constitutes the first manifesto of Diderot's shift from Christian faith to deism.
Precious copy bearing an autograph mailing signed by the author on the title page:
" For Mr de Ste Croix. To Madame de Ste Croix. Totum muneris hoc tui est [i.e. 'This is indeed an effect of your favor', Horace]
On behalf of
From his most humble and obedient servant Diderot.
Diderot's mailings are extremely rare.
"Diderot's most meticulous biographer (Arthur Wilson) was aware of this copy but could not identify M. and Mme de Sainte-Croix who, from the wording of the mailing, seem to have acquired a debt of gratitude to the future encyclopedist. The Diderot exhibition at the Bibliothèque Nationale (1963) did not display any books dedicated by the philosopher." (Christian Albertan and Anne-Marie Chouillet, "Autographs and documents", Recherches sur Diderot et sur l'Encyclopédie, 1999, n° 27, p. 178).
PROVENANCE
Paul Boulenger (ex-libris)| Mildred Bliss - Dumbarton Oaks (ex-libris)| Pierre Bérès, catalog no. 48, 1951, n° 118.
Principles of moral philosophy or essay by Mr. S*** on the merit of virtue. With reflections. Amsterdam [i.e. Paris], Zacharie Châtelain, 1745.
Two parts in one volume in-12 (97 x 160 mm), XXX-297 pp. and (5) ff. and 2 plates by Durand engraved by Fessard. Contemporary marbled calf, decorated spine, red morocco title page, decorated edges. Modern half-marbled morocco slipcase, spine gilt, gilt title. (Skilful restorations to the headpieces and hinges| some occasional small brown spots.)
First edition of Diderot's first real work.
The philosopher had begun his literary career in 1743 with the publication of a first translation (The Grecian history of Temple Stanyan). However, the Principles of Moral Philosophy, far from being a simple translation of Lord Shaftesbury's Inquiry concerning Virtue and Merit (1699), is really his first philosophical work. The work corresponds more to a free interpretation, in such a way that "the Essay of Mr. S... which was properly only a metaphysical demonstration, was converted into quite considerable elements of morality", as Diderot notes in his Preliminary Address.
"This exercise which Diderot carried out on an English original was more a paraphrase than a translation. It is a very important work to understand the evolution of his thought. [...] There was some danger in presenting to the French public a work that so frankly affirmed the existence of a natural morality, independent of the sanctions of a given religion or church. (Arthur M. Wilson, Diderot, sa vie et son œuvre, Paris, Laffont/Ramsay, 1985, p. 44). Thus, the Principles of Moral Philosophy constitutes the first manifesto of Diderot's shift from Christian faith to deism.
Precious copy bearing an autograph mailing signed by the author on the title page:
" For Mr de Ste Croix. To Madame de Ste Croix. Totum muneris hoc tui est [i.e. 'This is indeed an effect of your favor', Horace]
On behalf of
From his most humble and obedient servant Diderot.
Diderot's mailings are extremely rare.
"Diderot's most meticulous biographer (Arthur Wilson) was aware of this copy but could not identify M. and Mme de Sainte-Croix who, from the wording of the mailing, seem to have acquired a debt of gratitude to the future encyclopedist. The Diderot exhibition at the Bibliothèque Nationale (1963) did not display any books dedicated by the philosopher." (Christian Albertan and Anne-Marie Chouillet, "Autographs and documents", Recherches sur Diderot et sur l'Encyclopédie, 1999, n° 27, p. 178).
PROVENANCE
Paul Boulenger (ex-libris)| Mildred Bliss - Dumbarton Oaks (ex-libris)| Pierre Bérès, catalog no. 48, 1951, n° 118.