MONTESQUIEU: (1689-1755) Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brede et de Montesquieu. French Judge, Historian and political Philosopher. Montesquieu is the main source of separation of powers which is today implemented in many constitutions all over the world. His work The Spirit of Law (1748), anonymously published, strongly influenced the Founding Fathers of the United States when drafting the Constitution. Very rare L.S., Montesquieu, two pages, 4to, Bordeaux, 19^th October 1748, to monsieur Titon Dutillet, in French. A very cleanly written letter, Montesquieu stating in part `J´ai reçu Monsieur la lettre obligeante que vous m´avez fait l´honneur de m´écrire au sujet de ma nouvelle Edition de la Grandeur des Romains, il serait bien flateur pour moi qu´elle eut plû a un homme aussi connoisseur que vous et don't l´esprit est rempli de tant de belles choses…´ ("I received Sir the obliging letter that you have had the honour to write to me about my new Edition of the Grandeur des Romains, it would be very flattering for me if it had pleased a man as connoisseur as you and whose mind is filled with so many beautiful things…") Montesquieu further refers to his correspondent´s work, saying `Des que je fus arrive ici, mon premier soin fut de remettre a Mr. De Sarrau votre ouvrage immortel le Parnasse Français´ ("As soon as I arrived here, my first goal was to deliver to Mr. De Sarrau your immortal work, le Parnasse Français (the French Parnassus)") With address leaf, written in his hand, bearing a red wax seal in fine condition. VG

 

Evrard Titon du Tillet (1677-1762) French officer under Louis XIV, Captain of the Dragoons, war Commissioner and butler to the Duchess of Burgundy. Titon du Tillet wanted to erect a monument to the glory of the King on which men of letters and artists would have figured. The project only led to the writing of "La description du Parnasse Français", rich in information on the literary and musical life of the time.