L'AN DEUX MILLE QUATRE CENT QUARANTE. REVE S'IL EN FUT JAMAIS; SUIVI DE L'HOMME DE FER, SONGE

Book Description

[N.p. (Paris)]. 1786.. xvi,380,[2];381,[2];312,[2]pp. Contemporary calf and boards, spines gilt extra. Engraved frontis to each volume. Minimal occasional foxing, several joints cracking (but sound, except for 3rd volume, where the cords are intact but joints loose). Internally a quite nice, large copy, with the half titles. The important greatly revised and enlarged edition of the work several commentators consider the first genuine Utopian work set in the future. The first edition appeared in Amsterdam, under a false imprint, in 1771 (though some bibliographers cite 1770, based on the erroneous date listed in the preface to this edition). Mercier's protagonist awakens from sleep in the 25th century, and finds himself in "that blissful period, when man shall have regained his courage, his liberty, his independence and his virtue." The new society is the consequence of a revolution overseen by a benevolent prince, and while it is primarily an agrarian society, considerable emphasis is placed on scientific knowledge. The influence of Locke, Rousseau, Voltaire and other progressive thinkers of the time is evident, as well as certain dystopic elements, including the burning of texts which did not enjoy the approval of the powers that be. The novel was widely translated, and an American edition appeared in short order. NEGLEY 772. PENN STATE UTOPIAN CATALOGUE, pp.120-2.

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