Voltaire, Francois Marie Arouet deBiblio.com
882 résultats
17687816<p>Glasgow: Printed for Robert Urie 1768 Three English-language editions were printed in 1768 one in London one in Dublin and one in Glasgow. All have different collations and none name a translator. The Urie edition is rare: ESTC lists seven copies three in North America Toronto North Carolina Huntington Library. . Contemporary speckled calf with red calf spine label. Octavo in fours. Binding extremities lightly worn occasional light marginal dampstaining. Old ink signature on title-page later ink signature and address on front free endpaper bookplate of a third owner on front pastedown. Overall a good clean copy with wide margins possibly a large paper copy.</p> Printed for Robert Urie,
178334287à Paris: De l'imprimerie de la Sorbonne 1783. Fine. De l'imprimerie de la Sorbonne à Paris 1783 13 x 21 cm relié First edition quite rare. Full light calf binding from early 20th century handsome pastiche of a contemporary binding. Decorated raised spine. Triple fillet frame on boards. Red morocco title-label. Decorative gilt board-edges and roll on leading edges. 18th-century endpapers preserved. The lower margin of the title page missing the owner's name was removed has been filled with modern paper. A hole in the lower right margin on pp. 301 and 302. An amusing old annotation probably from the 18th century in ink in the lower margin of the publisher's warning: ""foutu sot"". Collection of satirical and erotic poetry attributed to a certain Busca some pieces are by him who according to Barbier Dict. des ouvrages anonymes is the future general Pommereul in Bonaparte's service. Many of the poems are signed Boufflers Voltaire. The work is divided into three parts as announced in the title. It includes several songs. Note that the theological tales are so called only because they feature monks and other church characters. The Catholic litanies are more than irreverent songs litanies of saint geneviève. that treat the church saints with extreme levity. Lovers of curiosa will appreciate the truly outrageous and rather incredible liberties of this collection which presents numerous unpublished pieces. De l'imprimerie de la Sorbonne hardcover
179039201Paris: Chez P. Didot fils ainé de F. A. Didot l'ainé 1790. AN ENTIRELY UNCUT COPY OF THIS MASTERPIECE OF NINETEENTH CENTURY PRINTING. xl 222 2 pp. One of a series of French and classical texts printed by Didot on the orders of Louis XVI for the education of his son the heir to the throne who it turns out died in captivity in 1795 at age 10 two years after his father was beheaded. This is the first volume of the series printed by Pierre Didot. It is a gorgeous example of fine printing with large and clear types on the best paper one of 250 copies on Angoulême wove paper. Huge untrimmed margins with deckle edges. Folio in 4s page size 32 x 24 cm as issued. Entirely uncut in the original plain blue boards spine gone but stitching solid. A bit of old faint staining to inner margins of some leaves else FINE AND BRIGHT a pristine copy of a rare and beautiful book almost never found in original condition. <br/><br/> Chez P. Didot, fils ainé de F. A. Didot l'ainé hardcover
1777ST20535-04La Haye The Hague but Geneva: Aux dépens des Libraries 1777. FIRST EDITION. 215 x 140 mm. 8 1/2 x 5 1/2". 1 p.l. 303 3 pp. <br/> Publisher's marbled paper wrappers flat spine edges untrimmed. A Large Paper Copy. Benesco 1860. Andrew R. Morehouse "The Voltaire Collection in the Rare Book Room" The Yale Library Gazette 17 no. 4 1943 p. 75.<br /> Paper wrappers a bit faded as expected slightly defective at corners and a little curled otherwise and perhaps even so A VERY FINE COPY--the text within immense margins entirely clean fresh and bright.<br/> <br/> This is a remarkable survival in its original wrappers of a work related to one of the most resonating controversies of Voltaire's life and writings--the question of his anti-Semitism. A giant of the Enlightenment and one of the greatest of French writers and philosophers Voltaire real name François-Marie Arouet 1694-1778 writes here in response to "Lettres de quelques Juifs portugais allemands et polonais à M. de Voltaire" a 1776 critique by Antoine Guénée objecting to the anti-Semitism especially as expressed within a commercial context in our author's "Dictionnaire Philosophique." Deeply philosophical and leavened with satire the 120 chapters of the seminal "Dictionnaire" were widely read much condemned and not infrequently burned as they challenged religious authority advocated for toleration and dealt with many social and political issues from an uncomfortable Enlightenment perspective. And there can be no doubt that Voltaire's "Dictionnaire" does in fact contain critical remarks about the Jews; at the same time the author's criticism is extended with equal warmth to organized religion in other forms. In the present response to Guénée Voltaire is nothing if not scathing which in the end works against him. As Voltaire scholar Andrew R. Morehouse wryly puts it the text here expands upon Voltaire's previous points in such a way as to "justify the accusation that he is cruelly anti-Semitic." This work is not exactly rare but it is very unusual to find it in original wrappers as here particularly in such fine condition. Aux dépens des Libraries unknown
178428461<p><strong>1784 MASSIVE SET Works of VOLTAIRE Gotha ed 53vols Includes Isaac Newton</strong></p><p><em>"Let us read and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world." </em></p><p>― Voltaire</p><p>Voltaire was a versatile and prolific writer producing works in almost every literary form including plays poems novels essays and historical and scientific works. He wrote thousands of books and letter and frequently made use of his works to criticize intolerance religious dogma and the French institutions of his day. </p><p>This enormous set of 53 volumes was published in Gotha and contains many of Voltaire's most famous works including:</p><p><!-- if !supportLists-->· <!--endif-->On Francois-Jean de la Barre</p><p><!-- if !supportLists-->· <!--endif-->Philosophy and science of Isaac Newton</p><p><!-- if !supportLists-->· <!--endif-->Empire of Charlemagne</p><p><!-- if !supportLists-->· <!--endif-->"<em>On Universal History the Manners and Spirit of Nations"</em></p><p><!-- if !supportLists-->· <!--endif-->Correspondence with Frederic II King of Prussia</p><p>Item number: #28461</p><p>Price: $995</p><p>VOLTAIRE</p><p><strong><em>Oeuvres complètes de Voltaire</em></strong></p><p>Gotha: C.G. Ettinger 1784.</p><p><u>Details</u>: </p><p><!-- if !supportLists-->· <!--endif-->Collation: 53 volumes of 71</p><p><!-- if !supportLists-->o <!--endif-->Vols. 1-9 12 14 16-21 23 25-33 35-60; Posthumous works Vol. 9</p><p><!-- if !supportLists-->o <!--endif-->14 folding plates in Vol. 31</p><p><!-- if !supportLists-->· <!--endif-->Language: French</p><p><!-- if !supportLists-->· <!--endif-->Binding: Hardcover; tight and secure</p><p><!-- if !supportLists-->· <!--endif-->Size: ~8.25in X 5.5in 20.5cm x 14cm</p><p>Our Guarantee:</p><p>Very Fast. Very Safe. Free Shipping Worldwide.</p><p>Customer satisfaction is our priority! Notify us with 7 days of receiving and we will offer a full refund without reservation!</p><p><u>Photos available upon request. </u></p> C.G. Ettinger hardcover
1774001963Geneve. VG books. Contemporary leather boards with moderate wear. 1774. Hardcover. VG books. Quality mid 20th C rebind preserves original mottled calf boards and rebacking closely duplicating the original. . The "Voltaire" edition first published about 1764 in 12 vols. Here expanded upon but printed in 8 vols. With 35 engraved copperplates. Each vol with a frontispiece. Vol 1 frontis engraved by Watelet others by Gravelot. Most vols with frontis & 3 plates BUT vol 3 had 5 plates & vol 7 had 5. Spines with 5 gilt dotted raised ribs. Red/brown leather title labels & brown leather vol # labels both in gilt. 1774 date along heel. The 4 other spine panels all gilt edge ruled with elaborate floral corner & center designs. Spines very attractive. Voltaire wrote a 2 page intro in vol 1. Text blocks tight as new no loose leaves or sprung signatures. Text & plates quite nice only scattered light foxing & type offset mostly confined to margins. No aging or any other type of stain. But DAMP STAINED vol 3 back cover and very last end paper. NOT INTO TEXT. . hardcover
173917662Paris: Chez Prault Fils. Very Good. 1739. First Edition. Hardcover. A scarce work in a fine binding of dark red morocco with gilt cover decorations & wide dentelles: a black leather label with gilt lettering. Marbled endpapers. All edges gilt & a red silk bookmark. Hinges & text are tight & intact. Decorative head & tailpieces. Printer's device on title page. 4120pp. Binding isnear fine. Text is VG: small chip at top margin of half-title page professional repair to upper corner tear on title page top margins trimmed without loss of text & margins of last leaf age toned. French text. Biography. France. ; 16mo 6" - 7" tall; 120 pages . Chez Prault Fils hardcover
17781084Pozsonban Pozsony: Landerer Mihály’ költségével és betűivel 1778. First Hungarian edition. In contemporary cardboard covered in blue paper. Signature C is somewhat loose. Otherwise firm and clean. A fine copy. First Hungarian edition. In contemporary cardboard covered in blue paper. 93 3 p. <p><br /> First Hungarian edition of Voltaire’s tragedy â€Le fanatisme ou Mahomet le Propheteâ€.<br /> <p><p><br /> Voltaire five-act tragedy was written in 1736 premiered in 1741 and the first pirate editions appeared in 1742 while the first authorized edition was published in 1743 Amsterdam Ledet. <br /> <p><p><br /> Antal Zechenter known for his translations of mostly French plays among them Voltaire’s Adélaïde du Guesclin Corneille’s Horace and Racine’s Mithridate.<br /> <p><p><br /> Foreword by György Bessenyei.<br /> <p>. Landerer Mihály’ költségével, és betűivel unknown
171883142Paris: chez Perronneau et Cerioux 1817-1821. In-16 mm. 180x105 56 volumi in 60 tomi cartonato muto coevo piccoli spacchi o mancanze ai bordi o alle cerniere su 15 volumi titolo oro su due tasselli al dorso con un ritratto dell'A. inc. in rame. Questa edizione è così composta: Vie de Voltaire. Mémoires. Commentaire historique sur les oeuvres ecc. - Théatre 6 volumi - Poèmes 4 volumi - Essai sur les moeurs et l'Esprit des nations 3 volumi - Siècles de Louis XIV et de Louis XV 2 volumi - Histoires de Charles XII et de Pierre le Grand - Annales de l'Empire - Histoire du Parlement de Paris - Mélanges historiques 2 volumi - Politique et Législation 2 volumi - Physique Histoire Naturelle - Philosophie générale Métaphysique Morale Théologie 3 volumi - Dialogues et Entretiens philosophiques - Dictionnaire philosophique 4 - Romans 2 volumi - Facéties - Mélanges littéraires 2 volumi - Commentaires sur Corneille 2 volumi - Correspondance avec les Souverains 3 volumi - Correspondance avec D'Alembert - Correspondance générale 13 volumi.Con qualche fioritura o lievi uniformi arrossature ma complessivamente un buon esemplare. chez Perronneau et Cerioux, unknown
172321594Genve Jean Mokpap 1723 In-12, bradel vlin, titre de louvrage pouss or sur le dos dans un cartouche rouge bord de petits filets dors; doublures de papier ancien, tranches lisses rouges (reliure de l'poque).Cette dition originale a t publie par l'Abb Desfontaines et imprime en ralit Rouen chez le libraire Viret. Ce texte, publi d'aprs un manuscrit incomplet et ne comportant que 9 chants, fut rimprim par Voltaire Londres en 1728 avec des changements considrables, sous le titre La Henriade. Bel exemplaire en reliure de l'poque.
177785781777 Londres [Amsterdam], s. n. e [Marc-Michel Rey], 1777. In-8° (195 x 125 mm) de [2, titre et errata au verso]-188 pp. Seconde édition, parue lannée même de loriginale. Reliure en plein veau marbré, dos à nerfs orné, pièce de titre olive (reliure dépoque); coiffes manquantes, charnières frottées et coins émoussés, mais reliure tout à fait solide.«Un chrétien contre six juifs» est une réponse de Voltaire aux « Lettres des quelques juifs portugais et allemands à M. de Voltaire », publiées par labbé Antoine Guénée (1717 1803) pour la première fois en 1769. Cette édition forme en faitle tome XIV deLEvangile du jour. On trouve aux pp. 172 188 quelques poésies (dont toutes ne sont pas de Voltaire), une lettre à M. de la Harpe, signée le maquis de C***, la lettre de Voltaire à labbé de la Chau, du 21 mars 1776, enfin les Remontrances du pays de Gex, rédigées par M. de Voltaire» ( Bengesco II, 1860). Ex-libris héraldique rectangulaire imprimé en rouge: Brisset.
1785862N27Paris: De l'Impremerie de la Societe Litteraire Typographique 1785. Leather. Fair. 8" by 5". None. Forty three leather bound volumes from the Complete Works of Voltaire. 43 volumes from the complete works of Voltaire. Published in French. The present collection of the French philosopher's works includes volumes 2-10 12 14-17 20-23 25 27 32-35 37 45 51 60 63-69 70-77 and 89. With four plates to volumes two three and six. With three plates to volume four. With seven plates to volumes five and nine. With nine plates to volume eight. With ten plates to volume nine. With five plates to volume ten. The present collection opens with the theatrical works of Voltaire which is followed by his poetry including his epic poem the Henriade. In his Essay on the Universal History Manners and Spirit of Nations Voltaire discusses the history of Europe before Charlemagne until the age of Louis XIV. This is followed by his History of the Russian Empire Under Peter the Great his writings on politics and legislation some miscellaneous literary criticism and his commentary on the dramatic works of Pierre Corneille. The latter volumes are comprised of Voltaire's letter exchanges. Voltaire was a French Enlightenment writer philosopher and historian famed for his wit his criticism of Christianity and slavery and advocation of the separation of the church and state. The versatile and prolific writer produced works in many literary forms including plays novels essays but also scientific expositions. In a full contemporary calf binding. Externally sound. The rear board of volume 64 id disbound but present. The remaining volumes are lightly rubbed to the boards with some cracking to the leather along the spine. Volume 27 is missing some calf to the front extremity. Generally lightly rubbed to the head and tail of the spine although some volumes including 14 27 32-34 and the majority of the volumes in the 70s are missing a slither of calf to the head or tail of the spine or both. The front joints of volumes 10 16 20 33 and 45 are rather tender. Although the hinges are better to the latter volumes they are starting but firm to the majority of the earlier volumes.The front hinges are particularly tender to volumes 9 15 16 20 45 60 and 89 and the rear hinges are loose in volumes 10 and15. Internally firmly bound. Pages are generally bright and clean with some patches of light foxing. Fair De l'Impremerie de la Societe Litteraire Typographique hardcover
176744707Sans lieu, , 1767. In-8 de 108 pp.[LARCHER (Pierre-Henri)]. Réponse a la Défense de mon oncle, précédée de la Relation de la mort de l'abbé Bazin ; et suivie de l'Apologie de Socrate, traduite du grec de Xénophon. A Amsterdam, chez Changuion, 1767. In-8 de 64 pp.Ensemble 1 vol. in-8, veau marbré, dos plat avec deux pièces de titre, triple filet doré sur les plats, tranches marbrées (reliure de l'époque).
1738212251738 Londres (Paris), sans nom d'éditeur, (Prault), 1738, in-8 de (4) pp. (faux-titre et titre avec vignette gravée par Duflos)-XVI pp. (pour les Eclaircissements nécessaires)-(4) pp. (pour la table des chapitres)-(2) pp. d'avertissement des libraires - 326 pp. (paginé 3 à 328), (cf. Bengesco,Tome II, p. 29)-(12) pp. de table des matières, et 1 p. d'errata, portrait gravé de Voltaire, et portrait gravé de Newton par J. Dupin, reliure de l'époque, de plein veau fauve marbré, dos à nerfs orné de fers dorés, pièce de titre de maroquin fauve, ex libris manuscrit à l'encre brune en haut de la page de titre, quelques restaurations, bon exemplaire.
176911830A Londres, Amsterdam, Marc-Michel Rey, 1769. In-8 de (4)-284 pp., veau blond glacé, dos lisse orné, triple filet doré sur les plats, tranches dorées (reliure de l'époque).
174438273A Londres but Paris no printer 1744. Small 8vo. Contemp. full mottled calf raised bands richly gilt back. Previous owners stamp on tp. Engraved portrait Newton engraved titlevignette VIII5-121-232209-4714 pp. The text is complete and continous despite the odd pagination. Having 8 engraved plates 1 folding and many textengravings. A few leaves with contemporary marginal notes. Internally fine and clean. <br/><br/><em>Second or third edition a contrefacon not printed in London but in Paris. "Voltaires's importence for the history of science lies particularly in his having composed a famous popularization of Newton Élemens de la philosophie de Nrwton 1738 while also collaborating with his companion and mistress Émilie marquise de Chatelet on her translation of the Principia into French and more generally in his having referred with the lightness of touch that made him a serious critic of the human condition his moral philosophy to what he took to be Newtonian and hence a correct account of physical reality." DSB XIV:p.83 The work has been called one of the most beautifull illustrated scientific works at all.- This edition not in Gray's Bibliography. </em> hardcover
173871163Amsterdam 1738-1750. 8vo. Samtidige pergamentryggbind med tittelfelter i lysebrunt skinn og marmorerte dekler. Voltaires graverte portrett som frontispiece i bind I. Tittelbladene trykt i rødt og svart. 6 XXXII 1 1 blank 349 1 1 blank ; 4 366 1 1 blank ; 2 372 ; 4 377 1 blank 16 ; 6 v 1 135 1 blank XXII 102 24 112 ; 8 420 ; 16 415 1 blank ; 4 142 1 1 blank 152 1 1 blank XII 2 115 1 blank s. Med 21 kobberstikk utenom pagineringen. Tallrike kobberstukne vignetter. Chez Etienne Ledet & Compagnie Fransk. <br/><br/><em>Et flott sett. De fleste kobberstikkene er i bd. I som omfatter “La Henriadeâ€. </em> unknown
1764elala166Geneva: Cramer 1764. 1764. 8vo. pp. xvi 386 2. complete with half-title. woodcut title vignette. A fine copy in contemporary mottled calf gilt back. First Edition. Bengesco I 660. Cioranescu 63982. 1st Edition. Hardcover. [Geneva: Cramer], 1764. Hardcover
17681591281768. First Edition. paperback. 182pp. half-title; woodcut title page vignette. sewn; unlettered buff wrappers. N.p. Geneva 1768.<br/> <br/> One of Voltaire's best known prose works it came out in many editions the same year. This is presumably the first and conforms to the copy in the Bibliotheque Imperiale.<br/> <br/> unknown
177449131disguised addresses 1774. Hardcover. Nearly Fine. Three works in sammelband published between 1774 and 1777 octavo. I. A-V8 = 160 leaves; xlvii 1 blank 261 p. 160 blank 1 avertissement 9 table 1 erratapp. Half title separate title precedes the two letters each letter with caption title; II. pi A-L8 M6 = 94 leaves; 2 188pp. p. 28 misnumbered 82 errata at verso title; III. A-C8 = 24 leaves; 48pp. Eighteenth-century cat’s paw calf spine with raised bands compartments tooled in gilt morocco lettering piece. Marbled endleaves edges tinted red green silk ribbon marker. Mild wear at extremities occasional light marginal foxing in early leaves a nearly fine set in a handsome contemporary binding.<br /> <br /> I. J. Toland Le Nazareen Londres n.p. MDCCLXXVII 1777. First French edition of Nazarenus originally published at London in 1718 here translated by Paul Henri Theri Baron d’Holbach 1723-89. The Irish freethinker and philosopher John Toland 1670-1722 here proposes “. that the ancient Celtic beliefs revealed in an Irish manuscript of the four gospels captured the true spirit of Christianity Judaism and Islam†Stephen H. Daniel ODNB. A false imprint possibly printed at Amsterdam. ESTC T104300. Weller E. O. Falschen Druckorte II 1864 p. 203 noting Amsterdam. Jonathan Israel ranks Nazarenus among Toland’s more significant writings: “. His astounding quasi-theological project. in which he seeks to dechristianize Christianity and remodel it as a republican civic religion designed only to teach the common people morality demonstrate his original creative side and some depth†Radical Enlightenment 613.<br /> <br /> II. Voltaire Un Chrétien contre six Juifs Londres n.p.: MDCCLXXVII 1777 - Bengesco 1860 with nearly 4 pages of notes. Published in 1778 our copy is chap. XIV of L’Evangile du jour 1769-80 an 18-part collection of works by or published by Voltaire; see Bengesco 1904. N.B.: On page 28 a single 3-1/2 line sentence treating the Chinese has been struck out. The printed text which immediately follows reprints the sentence with an abridged ending.<br /> <br /> III. Voltaire Le Taureau blanc traduit du Syriac A Memphis n.p: MDCCLXXIV 1774 - Also from L’Evangile du jour - Cf. Bengesco 1509. Our edition is complete. Bengesco notes that this printing of Le Taureau is often found separate. hardcover
17681591281768. First Edition. paperback. 182pp. half-title; woodcut title page vignette. sewn; unlettered buff wrappers. N.p. Geneva 1768.<br/><br/> One of Voltaire's best known prose works it came out in many editions the same year. This is presumably the first and conforms to the copy in the Bibliotheque Imperiale.<br/><br/> unknown books
1770WRCLIT25846Paris: Chez la Veuve Duchesne. 1770. Two volumes. Octavo. Full contemporary mottled dyed calf spines gilt extra. Portrait plates and engraved headpieces. Light scattered foxing largely to occasional upper margins some extremity wear with narrow losses at extreme crowns of spines three small external worm holes in lower joint of second volume otherwise a very good set. First this edition containing in the first volume a pictorial title a frontis ten plates and ten headpieces all engraved by de Longueil after drawings by Charles Eisen. There are no illustrations in the second volume which concludes with a number of additional poems and documents by Voltaire. Voltaire's letter to Eisen written after seeing his designs opens the first volume and affirms his belief that the edition will be "plus recherchee." RAY ART OF THE FRENCH ILLUSTRATED BOOK 30. COHEN-DE RICCI 1026/7. SALOMONS p. 172. Chez la Veuve Duchesne... unknown books
176581265London: Printed for Thomas Brown 1765. First edition in English of Voltaire's Pocket Dictionary of Philosophy. Octavo full period calf gilt titles and elaborate gilt tooling to the spine gilt ruled marbled endpapers all edges red. In good condition. One of the most influential thinkers of the French Enlightenment Francois-Marie Arouet know by the nom de plum Voltaire was a resourceful and prolific writer. His works touched nearly every literary form including plays poems novels theoretical essays and scientific treatises. A forthright and candid advocate of civil liberties he frequently criticized the institutions of religious dogma and classism prevalent in 18th century France often doing so through satire to avoid censorship and imprisonment. Printed for Thomas Brown unknown books
1799ST17632cParis: de l'Imprimerie de Crapelet an VII 1799. 228 x 150 mm. 9 x 6". Two volumes. <br/> Very attractive 19th century red morocco by Capé stamp-signed in gilt on front turn-in French fillet border raised bands compartments with central quatrefoil surrounded by lacy gilt tooling gilt lettering gilt dentelles all edges gilt. Housed in a later marbled slipcase. WITH engraved frontispiece by Gaucher and 21 ENGRAVED PLATES after Marillier Monsiau and Ponce as called for AND EXTRA-ILLUSTRATED WITH 46 PLATES comprised of a suite of 20 small plates a suite of 21 large plates and five portraits. Verso of front free endpaper with the bookplate of Jacques Bastenet. Cohen-de Ricci 1035; Graesse VI 393. See also: Cohen-de Ricci 1047-48 for the plates by Moreau. ◆Two three-inch abrasions on one cover and a hint of wear to joints both very well disguised by refurbishment leather faintly soiled but the decorative bindings still lustrous and quite pleasing without any significant condition issues. Occasional mostly light foxing never serious and most of the plates clean but noticeable enough to be regrettable some of the smaller extra-illustrations slightly browned due to paper stock but still a book with considerable appeal inside and out with the engravings richly impressed.<br/> <br/> This printing of Voltaire's mock-heroic "Pucelle" a licentious burlesque based on the Joan of Arc story features the same beautiful engravings found in the Didot edition of 1795 but without the frames plus two additional suites of plates taken from other editions. The set of 20 small plates seem to be close copies of Gravelot's illustrations from the 1762 Geneva edition of "La Pucelle"; the set of 21 larger images are by Moreau all but two being before letters. The latter set probably comes from the suite of images for Voltaire's "Oeuvres" published by Renouard in 1802 of which there were just 40 copies before letters according to Cohen-de-Ricci. Capé was one of the most distinguished binders in France in the middle years of the 19th century being especially well known for the delicacy of his work as evidenced by our spines. He was the binder to the Empress Eugénie and Béraldi calls him "the Bozérian of the second Empire.". de l'Imprimerie de Crapelet unknown
17641322Londres 1764. <p>8vo. 190 x 120 mm. 7 ½ x 4 ½ inches. viii 344 1 pp.   Bound with half-title in contemporary Dutch decorated paper boards vellum spine and corner tips. Frontispiece portrait of Hugo Grotius dated 1790 probably added when bound. Some contemporary manuscript notes in the text and on the rear free endpaper. Very nice copy.</p> <br /> <p>First edition. Voltaire’s Philosophical Dictionary organized alphabetically and containing his thoughts on European society beginning with a short essay on Abraham and a critique of the stories of the Bible. Voltaire’s Dictionnaire ends with the topic of Virtue where referring to theologians in the Catholic Church his final words are a petition to God.  In his most sarcastic way he completes his book with the sentence “Mon Dieu donnez nous souvent de pareils fripons!†My God give us often such rogues as these!. </p> <br /> <p>Voltaire had this work published in Geneva by Gabriel Grasset who to keep the authors identity secret created a false imprint stating London as the place of printing. Included are 73 essays on subjects ranging from Baptism to Character Equality Fables History Liberty Religion Solomon and Tyranny to name a few. “Voltaire sought to create a text which would fit in one's pocket and be affordable because "revolutionary material must be small enough for people to carry with them". What he created is a text which educated and amused at the same time.â€Â As you can see by the subjects of Voltaire’s essays the Catholic Church was the target of much of his rhetoric. He wanted to expose the hypocrisy of the Church and at the same time advocate for a more rational God one who allowed for free will and self-examination as a major tenant of his philosophy.</p> <br /> There are numerous edition of Voltaire’s Dictionnaire Philosophique but the first is scarce in the market. This is a nice copy in a sound and not unattractive copy.<br /> <br /> <br /> <p>Roger Pearson Voltaire Almighty 2005.</p> . unknown
