Printed by Louis-Alexandre de La Rochefoucauld d'Enville (1743-1792) in an edition of only 600 copies, this is the first French edition of the constitutions of the original thirteen US states. Rochefoucauld undertook both the translation and the printing at the suggestion of his friend, then-French Ambassador, Benjamin Franklin. A friend to many Enlightenment figures in France (including Turgot and Condorcet), Rochefoucauld was elected as a deputy to the Estates General of 1789, and was one of the aristocrats who joined with the Third Estate on 25 June 1789, in defiance of Louis XVI's seance royale of two days prior. He continued to participate in the events of the Revolution, ultimately opposing Petion during the events of August 10th, 1792. As the situation in Paris continued to decline, Rochefoucauld attempted to escape - but he was killed by volunteer troops from Sarthe and Orne who were hunting aristocrats while travelling to fight the Prussians at Verdun.

Octavo, [4], 540 pages. In Very Good minus condition. Bound in contemporary mottled sheep with morocco label and gilt ornamentation to spine. Boards show light plus bumping to corners, light plus wear to joints and head/tail of spine, and light shelf wear overall. Textblock has very light foxing to edges. RW Consignment. Shelved in Case 7.