A Treatise on the Social Compact - photo 1
A Treatise on the Social Compact - photo 2
A Treatise on the Social Compact - photo 3

A Treatise on the Social Compact

Lot 171
28.01.2025 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Sold
$ 21 420
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
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The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 1360887
Lot 171 | A Treatise on the Social Compact
Estimate value
$ 8 000 – 12 000
ROUSSEAU, Jean-Jacques (1712–1778). A Treatise on the Social Compact. London: T. Becket and P.A. De Hondt, 1764.

First edition in English. One of the greatest political philosophy essays ever published, Rousseau's opus led to the most decisive changes in the modern world. "The Contrat Social remains Rousseau's greatest work. [...] In the Age of Reason he advocated the greater force of intuition: against artificial refinement, he urged a return to the natural state. So, observing that under the French monarchy the effect of government was the greatest misery of the greatest number, his convinced and sincere republicanism needed to look no further. [...] His fundamental thesis that government depends absolutely on the mandate of the people, and his genuine creative insight into a number of political and economic problems, give his work an indisputable cogency. It had the most profound influence on the political thinking of the generation following its publication. It was, after all, the first great emotional plea for the equality of all men in the state: others had argued the same cause theoretically but had themselves tolerated a very different government [...] it remains a crucial document of egalitarian government" (PMM).

"The bible of revolutionaries" (PMM), Rousseau's treatise in English began being advertised in newspapers across America as early as March in the year of its publication (Pennsylvania Gazette, 22 March 1764), contributing to a widespread familiarity with Rousseau's thinking in the decade before the American Revolution (see Spurling, Rousseau in America, 1760–1809 (1976)).

Scarce, with only seven appearances at auction recorded in RBH.

12mo (168 × 100mm). Title, advertisement, 3 pp. of publisher's advertisements at end (some leaves toned, occasional spotting mostly marginal). 19th-century gilt triple-ruled calf, red and tan spine labels with gilt lettering, edges gilt, marbled endpapers (corners and hinges slightly rubbed). Provenance: bookplate on upper pastedown removed.
Place of origin:England
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