Lot 46: PARIS-DUVERNEY, Joseph (1684-1770) and François-Michel-Chrétien DESCHAMPS (1688-1747). Examen du livre intitulé Reflexions politiques sur les finances et le commerce . The Hague: Vaillant and Nicolas Prevost, 1740. 2 volumes, 12°. Half-title and

PARIS-DUVERNEY, Joseph (1684-1770) and François-Michel-Chrétien DESCHAMPS (1688-1747). Examen du livre intitulé Reflexions politiques sur les finances et le commerce . The Hague: Vaillant and Nicolas Prevost, 1740. 2 volumes, 12°. Half-title and final errata leaf in both volumes, folding letterpress table in volume II. Contemporary mottled calf, gilt spines with red morocco labels and repeated floral tools, marbled edges and endpapers (extremities a little rubbed).

PARIS-DUVERNEY, Joseph (1684-1770) and François-Michel-Chrétien DESCHAMPS (1688-1747). Examen du livre intitulé Reflexions politiques sur les finances et le commerce. The Hague: Vaillant and Nicolas Prevost, 1740. 2 volumes, 12°. Half-title and final errata leaf in both volumes, folding letterpress table in volume II. Contemporary mottled calf, gilt spines with red morocco labels and repeated floral tools, marbled edges and endpapers (extremities a little rubbed).

FINE COPY OF THE FIRST EDITION: a reply to the Réflexions of Dutot (1738, see lot 73), which continued to favour the economic system of John Law despite his fall in 1720. Joseph Paris-Duverney was the third of four brothers, all financiers in the reign of Louis XV. His book, written in co-operation with Deschamps, refuted the views of Dutot and Law, warmly praised the alternative operation of the 'Visa', and provided a detailed history of the Mississippi scheme and its collapse. Einaudi 1538; Goldsmiths' 7784; Kress 4519.

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