Voltaire (1694-1778)Biblio.com
878 résultats
177771993Geneve; 1777 1777. Nouvelle edition. Hardback. Full contemporary tree calf very good. Spine elaborately gilt tooled with a red gilt-blocked Morocco label. Minor rubbing to the spine bands and panel extremities as with age. An uncommonly well-preserved example; scans etc. On request. ; 210 pages; Copper-engraved pictorial head & tailpieces; publisher's device to the title. Language: French. Physical desc. : cm.13. Table contents to the rear. Geneve; 1777 hardcover
1785320861785. S.l. Editions d'Art Seper / Le Chant des SphÂres / Arts et couleurs 1984. 3 forts vol. au format pt in-4 262 x 205 mm de 244 211 et 236 pp. Reliures d'ÂŽdition de plein skyvertex lie-de-vin ˆ l'imitation de maroquin filets d'encadrement dorÂŽs et ˆ froid sur les plats lesquels s'ornent d'une large frise d'encadrement ˆ froid composition figurative en relief au centre frappÂŽe des armes dorÂŽes de France jeux de filets en relief formant croisillons sur fond de lys en relief fleurons dorÂŽs dos ˆ nerfs ornÂŽs de filets maigres ˆ froid caissons d'encadrement dorÂŽs entrelacs de fleurons en relief ˆ froid armes de France et fleuron hÂŽraldique dorÂŽs titre dorÂŽ tomaison dorÂŽe tÂtes dorÂŽes gardes de pleine moire lie-de-vin sous ÂŽtuis bordÂŽs. Un des exemplaires du tirage numÂŽrotÂŽ ; complet de son certificat d'authenticitÂŽ volant. Ensemble complet des trois volumes le constituant. Chacun s'agrÂŽmente de nombreuses autant que dÂŽlicates compositions en couleurs par Jean Gradassi. ''Toutes les illustrations de cette collection en trois volumes vÂŽritables reconstitutions historiques en couleurs ont ÂŽtÂŽ reproduites ˆ partir de sÂŽlections manuelles et rehaussÂŽes d'aquarelle au pochoir. ConfÂŽrant ˆ cette ÂŽdition une grande valeur artistique''. ''PassionnÂŽ d'Histoire Jean Gradassi se spÂŽcialise dans cet art difficile qu'est l'illustration et pour lequel l'ÂŽtude des costumes civils et militaires de l'architecture du mobilier d'ÂŽpoque sont une base indispensable ˆ sa crÂŽation artistique o chaque dÂŽtail mÂŽrite d'Âtre examinÂŽ ˆ la loupe. Quand on sait avec quelle minutie et quel souci du dÂŽtail chaque architecture chaque costume chaque personnage sont mis au point et avec quelle Ç maestria È dans la couleur il parvient ˆ faire vivre toutes ces scÂnes spirituelles et animÂŽes on est transportÂŽ d'admiration pour son art''. ''Amour extrÂme de la vÂŽritÂŽ et impartialitÂŽ entiÂre sur toutes les matiÂres qui y sont traitÂŽes caractÂŽrisent cet ouvrage lequel recÂle plus de faits intÂŽressants et plus d'anecdotes curieuses que dans les collections immenses qu'on nous a donnÂŽes jusqu'ici sur le rÂgne de Louis XIV. Dans cette ÂŽdition on verra de nouvelles particularitÂŽs sur l'Homme au masque de fer sur la cour de Louis XIV sur la paix de Riswick sur la maniÂre de Louis XIV reconnut le fils de Jacques II sur le testament de Charles II et enfin jusqu'ˆ des mÂŽmoires trÂs curieux ÂŽcrits de la propre main du feu Roi.'' in Avertissement de l'Editeur. Car s'intÂŽresser ˆ l'ÂŽpoque moderne c'est reconna”tre une fonction ˆ l'histoire : celle d'aider les contemporains ˆ comprendre pour agir et peser ˆ leur tour sur le destin du monde. Ce sont donc eux qu'il faut intÂŽresser et l'ÂŽcrivain y rÂŽussit merveilleusement en mettant au service du mÂŽtier d'historien son talent de conteur et de dramaturge mais aussi de causeur spirituel. C'est ce brio qui nous sÂŽduit encore : rien ici qui pÂse ou qui pose.'' TrÂs belle condition. b42961 unknown
1785271201785. pages de titre absentes - Kehl de l'Imprimerie de la sociÂŽtÂŽ littÂŽraire typographique 1785. 3 vol. au format in-12 177 x 113 mm de 1 f. bl. 368 pp. et 1 f. bl. ; 1 f. bl. 415 pp. et 1 f. bl. ; 1 f. bl. 412 pp. et 1 f. bl. Reliures uniformes de l'ÂŽpoque de plein veau glacÂŽ porphyre guirlande fleuronnÂŽ dorÂŽe encadrant les plats dos lisses richement ornÂŽs d'un filet d'encadrement dorÂŽs caissons d'encadrement dorÂŽs caissons dentelÂŽs dorÂŽs roulettes dorÂŽes larges fleurons dorÂŽs semis de pointillÂŽs dorÂŽs piÂces de titre de maroquin ÂŽbÂne piÂce de tomaison de maroquin fauve titre dorÂŽ tomaison dorÂŽe palette dorÂŽe en tÂte et queue jeu de petits filets obliques dorÂŽs sur les coupes tranches jaspÂŽes. Ensemble - sous reliures dÂŽcoratives du temps - complet des trois volumes constituant Le SiÂcle de Louis XIV ; ici proposÂŽ dans la cÂŽlÂbre ÂŽdition des Oeuvres complÂtes de Voltaire ÂŽtablie par les soins et aux frais Beaumarchais dite ÂŽdition de Kehl. ''Cette cÂŽlÂbre ÂŽdition ÂŽtait la plus complÂte la plus belle et la mieux ordonnÂŽe qui ežt paru jusqu'alors des Oeuvres de Voltaire. C'est sous le point de vue typographique que Beaumarchais mÂŽrite des ÂŽloges''. in Brunet. ''Amour extrÂme de la vÂŽritÂŽ et impartialitÂŽ entiÂre sur toutes les matiÂres qui y sont traitÂŽes caractÂŽrisent cet ouvrage lequel recÂle plus de faits intÂŽressants et plus d'anecdotes curieuses que dans les collections immenses qu'on nous a donnÂŽes jusqu'ici sur le rÂgne de Louis XIV. Dans cette ÂŽdition on verra de nouvelles particularitÂŽs sur l'Homme au masque de fer sur la cour de Louis XIV sur la paix de Riswick sur la maniÂre de Louis XIV reconnut le fils de Jacques II sur le testament de Charles II et enfin jusqu'ˆ des mÂŽmoires trÂs curieux ÂŽcrits de la propre main du feu Roi.'' in Avertissement de l'Editeur. Car s'intÂŽresser ˆ l'ÂŽpoque moderne c'est reconna”tre une fonction ˆ l'histoire : celle d'aider les contemporains ˆ comprendre pour agir et peser ˆ leur tour sur le destin du monde. Ce sont donc eux qu'il faut intÂŽresser et l'ÂŽcrivain y rÂŽussit merveilleusement en mettant au service du mÂŽtier d'historien son talent de conteur et de dramaturge mais aussi de causeur spirituel. C'est ce brio qui nous sÂŽduit encore : rien ici qui pÂse ou qui pose.'' Graesse VII TrÂŽsor de livres rares et prÂŽcieux p. 390 - Brunet V Manuel du libraire et de l'amateur de livres 1353 - Cioranescu III Bibliographie de la littÂŽrature franÂaise du XVIIIÂme siÂcle 63884 - Rahir La BibliothÂque de l'amateur p. 679. Angles ÂŽlimÂŽs. Quelques frottements et abrasions pouvant affecter les reliures. Pages de titre absentes. Quelques rousseurs ou t‰ches claires dans les corps d'ouvrages. Du reste bonne condition. b42961 unknown
179088112Lisboa: Na Officina de Simao Thaddeo Ferreira 1790. First Portuguese edition of Voltaire's three tragedies translated into Portuguese. Octavo bound in full period calf gilt titles and tooling to the spine red spine label marbled endpapers. In near fine condition. A nice example. One of the most influential thinkers of the French Enlightenment François-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. Na Officina de Simao Thaddeo Ferreira unknown
177295126Lausanne: Chez Francois Grasset & Comp 1772. Early edition of Voltaire's biography of one of the most influential and widely translated writers of all time. Octavo bound in full sprinkled sheepskin. Gilt titles and tooling to the spine pictorial endpapers all edges red ribbon bound in. In very good condition with some rubbing to the extremities. Tasteful period bookplate. One of the most influential thinkers of the French Enlightenment François-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. Chez Francois Grasset & Comp unknown
176882403Geneve 1768. First edition of one of Voltaire's best-known works of prose. Octavo original full period calf gilt titles to the spine red morocco spine label raised bands marbled endpapers. In good condition. Rare and desirable. “One of Voltaire’s finest romances†The Princess of Babylon relays the story of the beautiful Formosanta who travels the world in search of her lover Amazan Barron Fantasy Literature I:88. Subtle in its philosophy Voltaire breaks narrative conventions in this novella to foster Enlightenment values and in the process also “pokes fun at a number of literary traditions†Pearson Fables of Reason 196. The novella saw instant success upon publication and was in such demand that it was being illegally pirated in England and printed under a false imprint of ‘Geneva’ when it was actually printed in London. hardcover
175962106printed for John Nourse at the Lamb opposite Katherine-Street in the Strand 1759. 2nd edition. Hardback. Full calf G. viii312146pp leather rubbed one small marginal worm-hole occasional yellowing of the pages a good copy. Odd final volume of Nugent's translation of Voltaire's 'Essai sur les Moeurs et L'Esprit des Nations'. Nugent provided several translations for John Nourse 1705 - 1780 the English bookseller. Thomas Nugent 1700 - 1772 Irish historian and travel writer who wrote the first guidebook tot he 'Grand Tour' & who devoted himself to translating works by prominent jurists philosophers and political thinkers of his time mostly from French into English. printed for John Nourse, at the Lamb, opposite Katherine-Street in the Strand hardcover
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
173650575bdParis: Jean Baptiste Claude Bauache 1736. First Edition. Octavo 1/4 red levant & red cloth hardcover leather uncut iv i-viii 1-80 i pp. Woodcut ornaments. One of Voltair’s better received theatrical presentations with a setting in the New World. Very Good bearing the bookplate of collector and French translator Richard F. O’Gorman. Jean Baptiste Claude Bauache, 1736. First Edition. hardcover books
176314066Geneve: Chez Les Freres Associes 1763. First edn. 8vo pp. 119. Bound in contemporary calf with marble endpapers. A very good copy. BN Voltaire 859. A comedy in verse by the great satirist author of Candide 1759. Chez Les Freres Associes unknown books
17689022099London: Printed for S. Bladon 1768. Hardcover. Very good. Bound in full brown tree calf with the covers spine label and inner dentelles stamped and decorated in gilt. Rubbed at the edges and extremities corners worn through boards are loose at the hinges but holding. Marbled endpapers. <br/><br/> Printed for S. Bladon hardcover books
1733288703London: Printed for C. Davis and A. Lyon 1733. First Edition. Half Leather. Very Good binding. Sabin states that "this English translation is the earliest publication of Voltaire;s 'Lettres philosophiques' the first French edition appearing under the latter title at Amsterdam." Based on Voltaire's experiences living in England between 1726 and 1729 favorably comparing it to France and its equivalents. Dampstaining to the final two gatherings and the last two leaves stubbed in. Loss to the bottom of M3 pp. 165/166 affecting the text. Collates complete. 8o: A-S8 /- A4 $4 signed; 144 leaves; 16 253 19 pp. Modern rebinding. Three quarters maroon leather over marbled paper. ESTC T137614. Sabin 100751. Very Good binding. Printed for C. Davis and A. Lyon unknown books
17523549Dublin: George Faulkner 1752. First Dublin edition. Full contemporary calf with gilt and morocco spine labels. Front joint of volume I cracked near the crown but holding. Internally a lovely copy much fresher than expected of an imprint from this era. Bookplates of William Paul to front pastedown of each; ownership stamp of Robert Paul to front endpapers and title of volume II. Small closed tear to margin of pages v-vi and paper loss to margin of pages 3-4 of volume I neither affecting text. Collating complete: viii 356; 258.68 20. A pleasing set of this important French history.<br/><br/>In the Introduction Voltaire declares that his aim is greater than merely writing the life of Louis XIV: "We would endeavour to describe to posterity not the actions only of one man but the genius of the age; that age which was the most enlightened of all others." Greater than the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome and that period "which followed the taking of Constantinople by Mahomet II" the age of Louis XIV comes the closest according to Voltaire to reaching perfection. He lays out his claims in two volumes celebrating the richness of Enlightenment thought in this grandiose history. George Faulkner unknown books
176424563Londres: aux depens de la compagnie 1764. 8vo pp. xvi 384; engraved frontispiece and 20 engraved plates; 20th-century full crimson straight-grain morocco by Zaehnsdorf decorative gilt border on covers gilt-paneled spine and preserving the original blue printed wrappers which are bound in. First published without plates at Louvain in 1755. This is likely a 'variorum' edition probably Dutch based on the first authorized edition of 1762 Geneva with variant readings from earlier piracies. Bengesco 491. <br/><br/> aux depens de la compagnie unknown books
17761316353Londres 1776. Hardcover. Octavo 280 pages; VG; bound in quarter red calf gilt lettering and tooling to paneled spine marbled boards marbled endpapers; half-title present verso of sfep has two early math equations; wide margins; scarce; shelved case 10. The imprint is false; probably printed in the Netherlands. Contrary to the title this edition does not contain "L'evangile de la raison" but does include "Dialogue du douteur & de l'adorateur". Signature marks include "Tome I" but no Vol. 2 is recorded; <br /> <br><br /> <br><br /> Preceeded by a second false imprint printed in Amsterdam by M. M. Rey in 1768;<br /> <br><br /> <br><br /> ESTC Citation No. N12875. 1316353. Shelved Dupont Bookstore. hardcover books
1787WRCLIT71108A Geneve 1787. 164pp. 12mo. Old mottled calf gilt label. A number of edges untrimmed. Some spotting and smudging binding rubbed and joints cracked; just a good copy. The second edition noted in Barbier of one of the popular biographies of Voltaire first published the previous year with a portrait not carried over to this edition. BARBIER IV:1018. unknown books
17755953Geneva: Cramer et Bardin 1775. Edition encadré" volume 11. Volume 11 only of the 40-volume "edition encadré" published in 1775 by Cramer et Bardin the last edition of Voltaire's works published under the author's supervision. Then as now La Pucelle d'Orleans was Voltaire's most consumed work so it is not surprising to find this volume detached from the its 39 companions. Voltaire's greatest poem but not the one you read in school. With Ariosto in mind Voltaire rewrote the Joan of Arc story with all the wit and critical distance of an 18th-century libertine. The result is that France's sainted woman warrior becomes the vehicle for an intelligent and licentious burlesque. Good and right-thinking people have always found it offensive but it doesn't really care. Nice binding charming illustrations. Octavo 21 cm; 420 pages portrait frontispiece by Martinet and 21 engraved plates. Text within typographic borders. Bound in contemporary etched leather scored in gilt. Spine decorated in gilt with leather labels. Marbled endpapers. Boards somewhjat splayed. Negligible loss at head and tail. Hinges starting. Upper joint reinforced. Contents clean. References: Cohen-De Ricci 1042; Bengescu Voltaire IV #2141 [Cramer et Bardin] hardcover books
179231870Paris: Chez Madame Vaux-Fleuri De l'Imprimerie de L. Potier de Lille 1792. First edition. 1-2 title verso blank leaf paged 63-64 with "Avis" and "Errata" 3-74 small woodcuts. 1 vols. 8vo. Later boards uncut. Spine and extremities rubbed with chipping a few leaves with spots else a very good copy. First edition. 1-2 title verso blank leaf paged 63-64 with "Avis" and "Errata" 3-74 small woodcuts. 1 vols. 8vo. According to the editor's "Avis" most of these fugitive pieces appear first here and some which have appeared elsewhere have been amended or corrected. Includes Mr. D. Rhullieres' "La Chanoinesse Conte" "Sur le Buste de Mirabeau" by M. Deseine"sourd et muet de naissance" and "La Mort de Patrocle Tragédie en Deux Actes¶ Commencing on page 25 is the "Epitre a Monsieur de Voltaire du 31 Decembre 1742" with the "Stances" pp. 28-30. On page 31 is the "Reponse de M. De Voltaire du Premier janvier 1743 Chez Madame Vaux-Fleuri [De l'Imprimerie de L. Potier de Lille] unknown books
179654353London: privately printed by Catherine Maria Bury Countess of Charleville 1796. First Edition large paper copy one of just 5. The first complete English translation. Large 8vo just under 24 cm pp. 227 218. Untrimmed. Bound in later 3/4 red morocco and plain boards rubbed along the extremities without the half title. "Mostly all of the copies were destroyed the freedom of the translation being considered injurious to the memory of Lady Charleville. Only 5 copies were printed on large paper. See the notes to the Renouard copy no. 1349- sale by Sotheby June 30 1834." The preface and notes cover 5 pages. ESTC; T137636.A nice clean tight set. A poem about Joan of Arc. From Wikipedia: "Voltaire was undoubtedly one of the most controversial writers and philosophers of the Enlightenment Age and The Maid of Orleans was also certainly one of his more contentious works. An epic and scandalous satire concerning the life of the not-yet-canonised Joan of Arc "the Maid of Orleans" the poem was outlawed burned and banned throughout a great portion of Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries. Containing mockery and satirical commentary on the life and antics of its subject the poem itself has variously been described as "bawdy" and "licentious". Despite the often sexist and indecent contents of the text its notoriety and contraband status made it one of the most widely read texts concerning Joan of Arc for several centuries. Circulating throughout the banned regions by often surreptitious means the book was read by a large number of the populace. It was also disseminated by Voltaire himself to some of his colleagues and other members of the upper class the circle of people and the portion of society that the text was specifically intended for. The author 1762-1851 was the daughter of Thomas Townley Dawson she married first James Tisdall and then in 1798 Charles William Bury first Earl of Charleville. She was an invalid for many years. privately printed by Catherine Maria Bury, Countess of Charleville unknown books
175908228Geneva: Gabriel Cramer 1759. First Edition. Full Leather. Fine. The third of the first four editions according to Bengesco 1436 and the fourth edition according to Wade see Voltaire and Candide 1959 p. 201 dated 1759 with 299 pages clandestinely printed and published by Cramer in Geneva and preceeding the other 16 different editions published throughout Europe in 1759. The present copy conforms to Bengesco 1436 in every respect which is "page by page line for line like the first edition" except for the "que ce ce fut" error on page 103 an error which was introduced by Cramer into the early printings then doubtless not "fixed" as it was correct in the first place. Note that the fleurons agree exactly with Bengesco 1436 as follows: p. 134 is a basket of fruits; p. 228 shows two horns 'a plenty; the fleuron at p. 115 is repeated on pages 179 and 193; fleuron on page 213 is signed N. C. and is repeated on page 279; page 277 is paginated 177. The present copy also agrees with Wade see Voltaire and Candide 1959 p. 201 in every respect including that page 17 is numbered 15. Both the above references to Bengesco and Wade show signatures A-N3 meaning they are bound without the Table of Chapters; the present copy like 7 of the 10 known copies of the first edition shows signatures A-N6 without the final leaves N7 a blank and without N8 instructions to the binder concerning the cancellation of two pairs of leaves B4 B9 and D6 D7. In addition to the above let us state the textual points in the present copy: page 31 B4 an unnecessary paragraph break was eliminated. The words "mais il y a une raison." do NOT start a new paragraph; page 41 B9 several short sentences about the Lisbon earthquake were rewritten as "car dit-il tout ceci est."; page 84 D6 D7 reads "Nos filles se trouverent."; page 103 reads "que ce fut." as explained above was correct to begin with then discovered by Cramer and was not "fixed"; page 125 reads "mais ils se leverent precisement."; page 242 the paragraph beginning "Candide etait afflige."; has been removed by Voltaire while the book was being printed as it was critical of German poets. Pages 121 - 168 signatures F and G are a larger type than the rest of the book. In summation the present copy agrees with the first edition except that the "que ce ce fut." error was discovered and not inserted and the fleurons differ but are by Cramer who printed the first four editions. This a wide margined copy is larger than other copies we have seen at 165 mm x 95 mm; beautifully bound in late 19th Century full tan leather with raised bands and gilt decoration on spine with a brown leather lettering piece marbled end papers all edges gilt; printed on laid paper. The text is remarkably clean and bright; a fine copy. PMM204. <br/><br/> Gabriel Cramer hardcover books
17627601Geneva: Cramer 1762. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good. Octavo. 358 pages. The first authorized edition with a number of piracies appearing before this epic based upon the life of Joan of Arc. Twenty plates by Gravelot. The ornament on the title page is the same as the one on the 1759 first edition of Candide. Contemporary 3/4 brown leather all edges stained red; a few letters lost on red label on spine; some scuffing and edge wear; light marginal stain not affecting text on about 50 leaves; overall a very good copy. <br/><br/> Cramer hardcover books
1731231308Paris: Josse 1731. First. hardcover. very good. Slim 8vo pp. xxix 3. 110 3 approbation and errata. Decorative copper engraved head-pieces a few contemporary ink annotations full gilt brown calf covers lightly warped and rubbed with a bright gilt heraldic crest on front and back red edges. Paris: J.F. Josse 1731. First Edition. Scarce. Very good.<br/><br/> Josse unknown books
173327422London: Printed for C. Davis and A. Lyon 1733 1733. First edition. Cf. Bengeso 1558; Sabin 100751 noting Voltaire's letters on William Penn and the Pennsylvania Quakers. Fine copy. 8vo contemporary paneled calf rebacked with a new spine and raised bands. The first appearance of an early and important prose work by Voltaire a series of epistolary observations comparing British and French society culture science and philosophy. Written when he was living in England 1727-28 Voltaire's opinions shed a favorable light on British institutions and individuals including Sir Isaac Newton. Voltaire tells an early version of the apple falling from the tree story that inspired Newton's theory of gravity. When Letters was published on the continent as Lettres Philosophiques 1734 it was condemned by French authorities and precipitated one of Voltaire's many conflicts with the crown. <br/><br/> London: Printed for C. Davis and A. Lyon, 1733 unknown books
1784WRCLIT58272London: Printed for G. Robinson 1784. 2ii2251pp. Octavo. Modern quarter gilt morocco and marbled boards gilt label. Bound without the half-title otherwise a very good fresh copy. First edition in English published the same year as the original French edition. An edition appeared from Dublin as well. The two page introduction quotes from a letter from Paris dated 2 May indicating that two or three editions "have already been seized and seven Booksellers imprisoned . The Memoirs are really written by Voltaire and must soon or late become public. This Voltaire is sort of a malignant spirit who came upon earth only to embitter the cup of life and afterwards laugh at our wry faces." ESTC T1128. Printed for G. Robinson hardcover books
1760140101London: Printed for G. Kearsly 1760. Small quarto pp. 1-4 1 2-76 drab boards. First edition in English. Semiramis ninth-century queen of Assyria present-day Iraq was until the early twentieth century a figure of legend that had been well-established as of the classical period: begotten of the fish-goddess Atargatis and fed by doves until her rescue by a royal shepherd; bride of general Onnes and successor to his power and eventually to the throne of Assyria; founder of Babylon and every other monument in the region; long-lived brave wise and sexually potent she was turned into a dove at her death and worshipped subsequently as a surrogate of the Assyrian fertility goddess Astarte. Modern archaeological research by Lehman-Haupt and others has largely replaced legend with history but the legend was still alive and well in Voltaire's time. She was a female personification of all that was gaudy and glorious in pre-Christian antiquity and she furnished good material for this tragedy Voltaire's preference in drama composed in 1748 a year after his conte philosophique ZADIG. Voltaire's play has probably had more continuing vitality as the foundation of the libretto of the Rossini opera "Semiramide" 1823 widely considered as one of the best and last operas in the Baroque style. ESTC T62226. The front paste-down bears the bookplate of Alaskan bibliographer James Wickersham who attached to the rear paste-down the mailing label with canceled stamp of the British bookseller McLeish & Sons from whom presumably he obtained this book. Lacks the advertising leaf at rear a very good copy. #140101 Printed for G. Kearsly unknown books
