An Essay on Taste. . . . With three dissertations on the same subject. By Mr. de Voltaire, Mr. d’Alembert, F.R.S., Mr. De Montesquieu.
London: Printed for A. Millar…A. Kincaid and J. Bell…, 1759. First edition of the author’s first book, a landmark in aesthetic theory, awarded a prize by the Philosophical Society of Edinburgh. Head and foot of spine chipped, corners worn, lacks fly-leaves. Joints cracked, but sound, some light foxing. A good copy of an uncommon and important book. Contemporary calf, old morocco label on front cover with the words, “Quebec Library.”. Octavo. iv, 222, [2] pp., pp. [223]-253, [1, blank], pp. [257]-314. Item #12002
Gerard (1728-95) taught moral philosophy at Aberdeen. It is a major Scottish discussion of aesthetics, and Hume supervised its publication. It influenced Alison and was admired by Adam Smith. John Price calls Gerard “one of the more interesting, but neglected, figures of the Scottish Enlightenment.” (Dictionary of Eighteenth-Century British Philosophers). The important essays by Voltaire, d'Alembert, and Montesquieu, all appear here for the first time in English.
Jessup, p. 131; CBEL II, 2065.
Price: $950.00