Description
[HOLBACH (Paul Henri Dietrich, baron d'). Essai sur les préjugés, ou De l'influence des opinions sur les mœurs & sur le bonheur des Hommes. Ouvrage contenant l'apologie de la philosophie Par Mr. D. M. London, 1770. - In-8, 156 x 98 : (2 ff.), 394 pp., (1 f.). Red morocco, triple gilt fillet framing the boards, ornate smooth spine, inner gilt roulette, gilt edges (period binding). Vercruysse, 1770 A2. - Tchémerzine, III, 726. - INED, 2883. - Caillet, 5218. - De Guaita, no. 242. First edition of this very important philosophical essay against nobility and religion. It is a work by the famous philosopher Baron d'Holbach (1723-1789), falsely attributed to the late César Chesneau Du Marsais (1676-1756) due to the presence of the initials D. M. on the title. The author launches a veritable attack on priests, the military and the arrogance of princes. He "demonstrates the usefulness of philosophy for politics and morality. True to his atheistic principles, he also shows the influence of religious and political prejudices on human morals" (INED). The notes are by encyclopedist Jacques-André Naigeon (1738-1810). A very fine and rare copy in contemporary red morocco. Small nick to one corner. Minor wetness on the edges of the first 3 leaves.
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