The Code Napoléon,

£1,500 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

The scarce first edition in English of the Code Napoléon. The Napoleonic Code, officially known as the Code civil des Français, came into force on 21st March 1804 during the last-days of the First French Republic, and is still the primary basis for civil law in France today. Taking inspiration from the codification of Roman law under the Emperor Justinian I (AD 482-565) in the sixth century, the civil code sought to both harmonise the regional and customary laws then in operation in France, as well entrenching the Revolutionary principles of liberté, égalité, fraternité in national law. Napoleon himself saw the law as a further opportunity to consolidate his own power as First Consul that would lead ultimately to his proclamation as Emperor of the French less than two months after the code came into force. This translation by Bryant Barrett, a member of Gray's Inn, has long been admired for its accuracy, preferring a 'verbal and even literal translation' instead of 'losing the force and full bearing of the legislator's enactments in what is termed a free translation' (Preface). The work is prefixed by a lengthy 'Introductory Discourse', which occupies the entirety of the first volume, containing a review of historical laws in Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, China, Ancient Greece and Rome, and Salic law. First edition in English; 2 vols; 8vo (21.5 x 14 cm); errata f. to rear of vol. II, vol. II B5 with closed tear repaired with archival tape, spotting to title-page,

• Binding: Hardcover

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