VOLTAIRE - Lot 64

Lot n° 64
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1000 - 2000 EUR
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Result : 3 539EUR
VOLTAIRE - Lot 64
VOLTAIRE Zadig or the destiny. Oriental History. S.l.n.n. [Paris et Nancy, Prault et Leseure], 1748. Small in-12 (148 x 95 mm) of [1] f., ix pp., [1] p., 195 pp., red morocco, ribbed spine, double gilt fillet on the edges, large inner "rat's tooth" scroll and gilt flowers, gilt edges (Canape). PARTLY ORIGINAL EDITION and first under this title which had appeared a year earlier under the title of Memnon. Oriental history with three chapters missing: chapters XI (The Supper), XII (The Rendezvous) and XIV (The Fisherman). Bengesco (I, 436) adds that there are also differences "at the end of chapters IV, V, VIII and the beginning of chapters XI of Memnon and XV of Zadig". In order to avoid any spoliation and counterfeiting, Voltaire decided to entrust half of his manuscript to Prault printer in Paris, and the other half to a printer from Nancy, named Leseure. "Zadig is a satire of court intrigues and party coteries. Voltaire also mocks fashions, charlatans, the venality of judges, the fats and the proud. Voltaire's philosophy is not yet frankly pessimistic, only disenchanted" (Bibliothèque nationale, Voltaire, 1979, nº 345). A very fine copy of the first complete edition of Voltaire's most famous tale with Candide, perfectly established by Canape. Some marginal restorations to the title without affecting the text.
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