Adams Defends U.S. Constitution, First French Edition

CONSTITUION. JOHN ADAMS

Published by Paris, 1792

Dfense des Constitutions amricaines, ou, de la ncessit d'une balance dans les pouvoirs d'un gouvernement libre. Paris: Chez Buisson, 1792. 2 volumes, 8vo (197 x 124 mm). Half-titles; a fresh, bright copy. Contemporary French paste paper boards, vellum-tipped corners, smooth mottled calf spines gilt, red and green lettering and numbering pieces; some worm damage to joints. First French edition, issued at a crucial moment in that country's history, as the Revolution was becoming more radical. In 1792 the French Assembly stripped Louis XVI of his power and declared him a prisoner of the nation. They called together the Convention, in order to draft a new constitution to replace that of the prior year. Adams's treatise explaining and defending the principles of the constitution of the government of the United States would have been a timely and informative work for the emerging French government. With the engraved calling card of Jean-Jacques-Basilien Gassendi (1746-1828), count and peer of France, who was a lieutenant (later major) general and parliamentarian during the Revolution, and under the First Empire and Restoration.Provenance: Jean-Jacques-Basilien Gassendi (engraved calling card loosely laid in volume 1)Reference: Howes A60; Sabin 237. Seller Inventory # 26600.99

Bibliographic Details

Title: Adams Defends U.S. Constitution, First ...
Publisher: Paris
Publication Date: 1792
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good
Book Type: Défense des Constitutions a