[HOLBACH, Paul-Henri Thiry, baron]

Ethocracy or the Government based on morality. Amsterdam, Marc-Michel Rey, 1776. In-8 (208 x 122 mm) of 6 ff.n.ch., 293 pp., 1 f.n.ch. (table and errata). Blond calf, triple gilt fillet, smooth spine decorated, marbled edges (contemporary binding). Vercruysse, 1776, A3; see INED, 2285. One of two editions published in the year of the original. Vercuysse's indications are not very clear for this edition. The title of our copy is adorned with a vignette composed of typographical material and there is an errata page at the end, whereas Vercruysse erroneously announces 3. The collation by quire corresponds perfectly well to our copy. "Contains an errata which makes it the original edition" (Vercruysse). L'Ethocratie is dedicated to Louis XVI, "just, humane, beneficent monarch, friend of truth, virtue, simplicity; enemy of flattery, vice, pomp...". First quire slightly browned, otherwise a fine copy of this rare edition.