POPE Alexander - Essai sur l'homme, Lausanne 1762, signature of Józefa Potocka née Mniszech, Tulchin Library, Pechar Library

Essai sur l'homme par monsieur Alexandre Pope traduction francoise en Profe, par Mr. S****, Lausanne 1762, f. 20.5 x 26cm, pp. XXIV, 116, f. plates 6 [frontispiece with full-page portrait of Prince Charles Frederick, to whom the book is dedicated, portrait of Alexandre Pope on the title page, full-page engraving preceding the poem, and 4 plates in the text with scenes depicting the relationship between man and God] besides beautiful initials and finials with genre scenes featuring angels, cupids, animals, people

"Essai sur l'homme" is a French translation of a poem by English poet Alexander Pope entitled "An Essay on Man," one of Pope's most important works considered one of the most important literary works of the 18th century. In his poem, Pope sought to portray human nature and the role of man in the world. In it he addressed such topics as man's relationship to God, morality, free will, science and knowledge. The French translation is significant because it highlights Pope's reach and influence in Europe in the 18th century, where his works were widely read and discussed.

later binding, cardboard with leather spine, abrasions of binding, local losses of binding, on the inner paste-down the ex-libris "Biblioteka Komandoriy Sitkowieckiiy, on the title page the signature "Josephe Potocka nee Mniszech" [Jozefa Potocka nee Mniszech] and the stamps of the Pechar Library and the Tulchin Library, the center is clean, dry, without odor in more than good condition