RAYNAL (Guillaume Thomas).Histoire philosophique et politique des Etablissemens & du Commerce des Européens dans les deux Indes.Genève : Les Libraires associés, 1775. - 3 volumes in-4, marbled havana calf, spine ribbed and decorated, red edges (period binding).First edition in-4. of this work, due, among others, to the collaboration of Raynal, Diderot and Holbach. It retraces the colonial epic since the discovery of America, analysing with rare acuity the influence of exploration on the European economy and culture, while taking a critical and committed look at slavery and the exploitation of conquered territories. The edition is illustrated with a portrait by Raynal after Cochin, 4 fine vignettes by Marillier, including one on the first title, 7 unsigned plates and 4 fold-out maps (Gulf of Mexico, South America, North America, Indian Ocean and South Sea with the Philippines and New Holland). A fine copy in contemporary binding. Traces of wetness on the covers of volumes 2 and 3. Small wormholes on the top of the last leaves of the second volume, and on the spine of volumes 2 and 3. The interior is in very good condition despite some very rare light spotting that is not serious and some old scribbles in ink in the upper margin of the last page and the last endpaper of the second volume.