GRÉGOIRE (l'abbé). De la littérature des nègres, ou Recherch - Lot 101

GRÉGOIRE (l'abbé). De la littérature des nègres, ou Recherches sur leurs facultés intellectuelles, leurs qualités morales et leur littérature. Paris, Maradan, De l'Imprimerie des sourds-muets, 1808. In-8, marbled basane, spine decorated with a large repeated iron, speckled edges (period binding). First edition of the first study of the literature of Blacks, to whom Grégoire attributes the same intellectual capacities as Whites. Two-thirds of the work is devoted to the condemnation of slavery. A list of 200 anti-slavery writers is divided among the various countries, with France in the lead. For America, the names Franklin and Jefferson stand out. The book is dedicated by Grégoire To all the courageous men who have pleaded the cause of the unfortunate Blacks and Sang-mêlés, either by their works or by their speeches in political assemblies, in established societies, for the abolition of the slave trade, the relief and freedom of slaves. Binding a little rubbed. Handwritten bookplate of Astier, professor of philosophy and dean of the faculty of letters at the Académie de Besançon.