19384 — A Marseille, Chez Jean Mossy, 1783. 2 volumes. (8), xvi, 686 pp.; (4), 680, (4 errata, advertisements) pp. 4to. Contemporary marbled calf, gilt spine with raised bands, contrasting labels with gilt lettering, marbled edges, a bit rubbed and some stains. Camus 2250; Kress B.573; Goldsmiths 12420; McCulloch, p. 246; not in Einaudi; Mansutti, 568; Catalogus Utrecht, ii, p. 813; Polak 3150. Rare first edition. This work by Émérigon (1716-1784) was considered at the time 'un oracle presque toujours sûr en matière d'assurance et cité devant les tribuneaux comme une autorité qui fait pour ainsi dire loi' (Dictionnaire de Biographie Française XII, 1241) Deals not only with the subject mentioned in the title, but covers the whole of maritime law. (i.e. chapter 6: du navire; chapter xii: des risques maritimes; vol. 2, chapter iii: Du change maritime etc.) 'Le Traité des assurances n'est pas borné à la seule matière qu'indique son titre. Il embrasse la presque totalité du droit maritime, et ne saurait être trop recommandé à ceux qui s'occupent de cette importante partie de la législation' (Camus).The author acquired during his long career an immense knowledge about the subjects concerned here, and in fact supplied much very important material to Valin for his important work on the ordinance of 1681.'The author of this work, an advocate in the parliament of Aix and a councillor in the admiralty court of Marseilles, died in 1784 ... He had by long practice and study acquired a very extensive and profound knowledge of maritime and commercial law. This treatise is of the highest authority. It is said by Lord Tenterden, in the preface to his work on maritime law, to be "peculiarly valuable for its extent of learned research, and the numerous and apt citations of the texts of the civil law and of the marine ordinances, the opinions of former writers, and the adjudications of the courts of justice of his own country, which are to be found in every part of it' (McCulloch). - 95 leaves (including the front blank and final blank) of volume one with a stain in the outer margin. With approbation and privilège.
