MONTESQUIEU (Charles Louis de Secondat), Barone de La Brède: - The Spirit of Laws. Translated from the French of M. De Second At, Baron de Montesquieu. The Sixth Edition.Edinburgh: Printed by A. Donaldson and Sold at his Shop, No. 48, East corner of St. Paul's Church-yard; and at Edinburgh. 1762. 2 volumes. 12mo, 170 x 100 mms., pp. [iv], xxiv, 396 [397 - 436]; xii, 454, with a note to the binder on the last page of the first volume to put the index in volume 1, contemporary calf, red leather labels; joints perished but held in place by early paper repair to hinges, text browned, binding somewhat worn and dried. This so-called "Third Edition" of a translation of Montesquieu's De l'Esprit des Loix was the first to be published by Donaldson and Reid; it was preceded by an edition publish in Aberdeen in 1756, and the text of the translation here is the same as the Aberdeen imprint. In fact, this translation is by Thomas Nugent (c. 1700 - 1772) and was first published in 1750; he probably was not entirely pleased to be ripped off by the Scottish pirates and having his translation published anonymously and without payment. Montesquieu is said to have admired the translation (Charles Dédéyan: Montesquieu ou les lumières d'Albion (1990), page 188. Nugent's translation was not superseded until the 20th century. MONTESQUIEU (Charles-Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu): The Spirit of Laws. Translated from the French of M. de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu. In Two Volumes. The Sixth Edition. Edinburgh: Printed for A. Donaldson, and sold at his Shop, No. 48, East corner of St. Paul's Church-yard, London; and at Edinburgh. M.DCC.LXXII [1772]. 2 volumes. 12mo, 170 x 100 mms., pp. [iv], xxiv, 396 [397 - 436]; xii, 454, with a note to the binder on the last page of the first volume to put the index in volume 1, contemporary calf, red leather labels; joints perished but held in place by early paper repair to hinges, text browned, binding somewhat worn and dried. With several ownership inscriptions and markings, including the signature "Jno. Pintard", i.e. John Pintard, on title-page of the first volume, with acquisition date below, and Pintard's signature again on title-page of second volume; and "G S Silliman", plus elsewhere the simple possessive proper noun, "Silliman's"; additionally, there is the spare printed book-label of "B. Silliman", with rectangular ornamental border. [9950] £1500 Montesquieu's treatise The Spirit of Laws was essential reading for many a forefather and foremother of the United States in the eighteenth century. It is extraordinary to see three important forefathers of early America having owned this particular copy of Montesquieu's Spirit of Laws (Edinburgh, 1772). Their ownership of the text is all the more interesting because at least two (the Sillimans) had an early education in law, although in every case they are remembered primarily for accomplishments above and beyond the field of law. John Pintard (1759-1844) was an extremely wealthy philanthropist and merchant, and is known, among other things, for founding the New York Historical Society, and as the "father" of Santa Claus in America: Pintard established "the modern popular conception of Santa Claus based upon the Dutch legend of Sinterklaas", even "proposing St. Nicholas as the patron saint of New York City" as well as "Patron Saint of his newly established New York Historical Society" (Wikipedia). If you dislike the bobblehead Santa Claus that your youngest son insists you put on the dashboard of your car in December, you can blame John Pintard. Pintard became a student at the College of New Jersey (later Princeton) when very young: "At the early age of thirteen, the precocious young scholar entered Princeton, being presented to President Witherspoon by Richard Stockton. Among his college friends and classmates were such distinguished characters as James A. Bayard, Gunning Bedford, Jonathan Dayton, Andrew Kirkpatrick, Brockholst Livingston, and James Madison, fourth President of the United States. Although the youngest of his class, Pintard was among its best scholars, and always a favorite with Dr. Witherspoon. He writes, 'Towards the close of my college career at Princeton during the eventful year, 1776, my mind was thoroughly imbued with the principles of Liberty. The example of Dr. Witherspoon gave a tone to the students, myself in particular.' At this time almost the entire college was ready to enlist, and Pintard marched with the first Company, commanded by William C. Houston, Professor of Mathematics" (James Grant Wilson, John Pintard, Founder of the New York Historical Society [1902], pp. 14-15). After military service, Pintard returned to Princeton, where he "received the degree of A.B. in 1776" (Wikipedia). The signature of John Pintard varied somewhat throughout his life, but is often highly recognizable nonetheless. The Oregon Historical Society holds a two-page letter that they identify as written by John Pintard (1759-1844) to Joseph Barrell (1739-1804), which they have digitized in full ( GBP 1650.00 [Appr.: EURO 1902 US$ 2202.12 | JP¥ 326429] Book number 9950is offered by:
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