ROUSSEAU (JEAN-JACQUES). Émile, ou de l’ éducation. I-IV. A la Haye, Jean Néaulme (but Paris, Duchsne), 1762. (5 parts in 4 volumes).
Large 8vo (c. 192x120 mm., 198xx125 mm. binding). 5 engraved plates after Eisen by Longeil, Le Grand and Pasquier. Titlles in red and black.
Contemporary light brown marbled calf, richly gilt spines decorated with title and volume numbers in burgundy and olive green, triple gilt fillets on the covers, red edges. Light wear to the bindings, slightly warped boards, one volume with partly split upper joint, upper part of spines partly worn. Text with some slight spotting.
FIRST EDIITON IN OCTAVO. McEachern, L'edition originale de l'Emile, in: Bulletin du Bibliophile, 1987-1, S. 20ff (Nr. 1A).

Rousseau's famous a treatise on education is often called one of the most famous works of the 18th century. It was banned in Paris and Geneva and was publicly burned in 1762 as it was forbidden by the Church, being listed on the Index Librorum Prohibitorum. During the French Revolution, Emile served as the inspiration for what became a new national system of education. This work was printed both in 8vo and 12mo the same year, but the 8vo-edition was published earlier in May 1762.