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 00:00UTC +00:00
Classic
To bid, go to the website
CHRISTIE'S
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
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
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
14.01.2025 – 28.01.2025
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.