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Description
[MEDICINE]
VANDERMONDE (Charles-Augustin):
An Essay on the Manner of Perfecting the Human Race.
Published by Vincent, Paris, 1756.
2 vols. in-12°. Contemporary full binding in marbled fawn sheepskin. Ribbed spine, decorated with gilt metalwork and fleurons. XX + 433 pp. + (1) folio of privilege; IV + 476 pp.
First edition of this important work by the French physician Charles-Augustin Vandermonde (1727–1762). Having attracted little attention at the time of its publication, Vandermonde’s essay explores the art of improving the human race and, as such, occupies a special place in the history of pre-eugenics, having been written well before Galton’s works.
Starting from the observation that our bodies are degenerating because ‘weakness and disease work in concert towards our destruction’, Vandermonde’s essay aims to propose ways of perfecting the body. He proposes to “re-train our organs, alter, strengthen and improve all the mechanisms of our machine” in order to tackle the “most intractable ailments” (Preface VII).
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale
Bibliophilia – A fine selection of antique and modern books
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Auction time
10/15/2026 at 1:00 PM
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