MARMONTEL ( Jean François )Livre Rare Book
MARMONTEL, JEAN FRANCOISBiblio.com
BÉLISAIRE
1775ST16379-050La Haye: Dépens de la Compagnie 1775. A "New Edition" augmented with etchings and anecdotes relating to "Bélisaire. 170 x 100 mm. 6 5/8 x 4". 2 p.l. viii 358 pp. <br/> Contemporary sheep-backed speckled boards smooth spine divided into panel by decorative gilt roll red morocco label. With woodcut head- and tailpieces and two etched plates. Front pastedown with a blue piece of paper inscribed with the number "93" and the name Gueveni in ink. Five small wormholes to leather on rear board text with two tiny marginal wormholes becoming one as the book goes along otherwise fine internally--especially clean and fresh in an appealing period binding showing very little wear.<br/> <br/> First published in 1767 "Bélisaire" is an historical romance based on an apocryphal tale of the estimable Byzantine commander Belisarius in which he is blinded and reduced to penury by an ungrateful Emperor. According to the Oxford Companion the book created a sensation out of proportion with its intrinsic literary merits because it contained a chapter advocating religious tolerance and freedom of opinion which was censured by the Sorbonne. The present edition includes several letters and additional texts that concern this controversy. An author whose talents were employed in several genres Marmontel 1723-99 was encouraged by his mentor and friend Voltaire to venture from the provinces to Paris in order to pursue a literary career. He gained acceptance into fashionable circles distinguished himself as a highly-praised writer for the "Encyclopedie" and was elected to the French Academy in 1763. The present volume is an extremely pleasing copy of an early edition. Dépens de la Compagnie unknown
