[CANTILLON, Richard (d. 1734).] Essai sur la Nature du Commerce en général. Traduit de l'Anglois. A Londres: chez Fletcher Gyles. [i.e. Paris : Pierre André Guillyn], 1755.

First edition, an outstanding, exceptionally fine copy of important provenance. Pristine in its armorial La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt binding, this is the best copy of the earliest treatise on modern economics recorded at auction. Cantillon was the first great economic theorist, the ‘founding father of modern economics’(Rothbard). His Essai is hailed as ‘the most systematic statement of economic principles before the Wealth of Nations’ (Roll) and was described by Jevons as ‘the cradle of political economy’. It anticipates Malthus – indeed it contains an almost complete anticipation of the Malthusian theory of population – and was cited by Adam Smith, Condillac, Quesnay amongst many other early economists. ‘It contained a theory of relative wages which was used by Smith; the famous Tableau économique of the Physiocrats was probably inspired by the Essai, and the treatment of the theory of money was of pioneering importance. The Essai also contains his theories of wages, prices, and interest, the workings of currency circulation, the role of precious metals in the international economy, and other subjects’ (Britannica). ‘Cantillon was the first real model builder in economics’ (ODNB).

Our copy, superb in its condition, carries the additional distinction of a remarkable provenance. It was bound for philanthropist, traveller and statesman the Duke de La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt. As a liberal, he participated in the French Revolution from the outset, remaining loyal to the King. He is famous for his answer to Louis XVI who had asked him on 14 July 1789 ‘Is it a revolt?’: ‘No, Your Majesty, it is a revolution’. He fled France and found refuge in England before travelling to the United States. He attempted to save the royal family. Back in France after the Revolution, he continued to promote his liberal ideas, helping the poor and creating a school. Two other copies with the coat of arms of the La Rochefoucauld family have appeared on the market in the last twenty years; they both came from the La Roche-Guyon branch of the family. This copy is the only one with the Liancourt ex-libris, stating its provenance.

12mo (165 x 93mm); complete with half title and index, a faultless copy. Bound for François-Alexandre-Frédéric, duc de La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt in contemporary mottled calf, panelled spine gilt in compartments with fleurons, gilt red morocco lettering-piece, sides stamped in gilt with the de La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt arms (very minor rubbing to corners and joints). Provenance: François-Alexandre-Frédéric, duc de La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt (1747-1827), with his coat of arms gilt on sides and the armorial engraved ex-libris of the Bibliothèque de Liancourt – J.A.M. (later small monogram plate to front free endpaper).
168 x 95 x 10 mm.

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