Ader
33
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Pierre-Samuel DU PONT DE NEMOURS (1739–1817).
See original version (French)
33
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Pierre-Samuel DU PONT DE NEMOURS (1739–1817).
See original version (French)
Estimate €500 - €700
Voluntary lot
Description
Pierre-Samuel DU PONT DE NEMOURS (1739–1817). Autograph letter, 21 February 1809, to Dr Antoine PORTAL; 2 pages, in-4 format, with address.
On copyright, concerning the book by Antoine Portal (1742–1832), *Observations on the Nature and Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis* (du Pont, 1792): ‘I produced the first edition of it when I was a printer; and I did so out of friendship for you, and out of esteem for your erudition. But you had not sold me the copyright to the book, so I was unable to transfer it and did not transfer it to anyone, as I did not own it. I do not take what belongs to others. My rights to the edition that came off my presses are limited to the copies it produced.” He does not know whether a deposit was made at the National Library: “If this had been overlooked, you will still have time to deposit two copies of the second edition there. No bookseller may reprint this work during your lifetime without your consent; and when you are no longer with us, no one may do so without the consent of your family until ten years after your death. That is the current law. Perhaps in the future, ownership of works will be extended to the authors’ families, just as with other forms of property. Had this been envisaged, it is certain that the descendants of Corneille, Racine and La Fontaine would not have needed the Government’s assistance. This kind of reward would always be precisely proportionate to merit’... [A second edition of Portal’s book was published in 1809 by L. Collin.]
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale
Letters and Autograph Manuscripts – Part I
Auction location
Auction time
10/13/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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