Journal of the General Ordinary Sejm of Warsaw, Held Over Six Sundays, in the Year of Our Lord MDCCLXXVIII [1779]

Volume: [2] leaves, 292 pages of main text (period pagination with a jump to 294), [1] leaf, 4 fold-out plates (of the original 6).

Binding: leather.

The Journal of the General Sejm of Warsaw of 1778, recording its proceedings day by day. It was the first in a series of free, non-confederated Sejm sessions held between 1778 and 1786. According to Witold Filipczak (“The Sejm of 1778,” Warsaw 2000), this was the first free Sejm since 1736, which, despite fears that it would be dissolved, concluded with the adoption of a constitution. The diary also records one of the first discussions on Andrzej Zamoyski’s codification project. The speeches of deputies and senators serve as a source for the history of political rhetoric, law, and noble customs during the Stanisław era.

Four of the six fold-out plates are preserved. The title page and the next two pages show old soiling; missing margins have been professionally restored with acid-free paper, without damaging the text. Pages 1 and 3 have minor edge tears (up to 1 cm); one plate has an old water stain.

An item from the 18th Polish Antiquarian Book Auction.