[AESTHETICS]. [SERAN DE LA TOUR, Abbé (ca. 1700-1770). L'art de Sentir et de Juger en Matière de Goût. Paris: Chez Pissot, 1762. 8vos. Two volumes in one. vii, [1, blank], xlii, 230; vi, 242, [12] pp. Contemporary mottled calf, gilt spine with burgundy morocco label, edges stained red. FIRST EDITION OF THIS SCARCE FRENCH WORK ON AESTHETICS. Attributed by Barbier to Seran de la Tour, author of Amusement de la raison (1752), and biographies of Epaminondas and Scipio Africanus, which were translated into English in 1787. It was influential contribution to eighteenth-century discussion of the nature of taste, going through three more editions in 1788, 1790, and 1796.

Joints cracking, but sound. Corners somewhat worn, some scuffing to boards, text very lightly wrinkled with occasional minor soiling. Very good.