La Pucelle d'Orléans.
First acknowledged and authorized edition by Voltaire of La Pucelle d’Orléans, this masterpiece of the Age of Enlightenment that was condemned by decree on January 20, 1757.
A superb copy preserved in its contemporary morocco, with the insignia and armorial pieces of the Marquis de la Villette, who married Voltaire’s adopted daughter.
Octavo, (2) leaves, VIII and 358 (sic for 354) pages, 20 engraved plates.
Red morocco, triple gilt fillet framing the covers, smooth spine decorated with armorial devices, gilt fillet on the edges, inner gilt roll-tooled border, gilt edges. Contemporary binding.
196 x 119 mm.
Voltaire. The Maid of Orléans, a poem, divided into twenty cantos, with notes.
1762.
First edition acknowledged and authorized by the author of one of the masterpieces of the Enlightenment, Voltaire’s attack on superstition and religion.
It is illustrated with 20 engraved plates by Gravelot, unsigned, in the first state.
Bengesco, I, 488; Lewine, 558; Cohen, 1029.
The work was first published in 1755, in Louvain, in 15 cantos.
This edition is greatly expanded: “The poem is preceded by the Preface written for this edition, which also includes new cantos: VIII, IX, XVI, XVII, and XVIII, while canto XX, corresponding to the former canto of the donkey, has been almost completely rewritten. Additionally, numerous additions and corrections have been made. Finally, notes are added at the bottom of the pages” (Voltaire at the B N, 1902).
While making many copies of this poem, one of which was sent by himself to Mme de Pompadour in July 1755, he complained of their existence to the chief of police and asked him to investigate the matter.
La Pucelle was condemned by a decree of the court of Rome on January 20, 1757.
“This satire spares nothing and no one... No moral scruple troubles Voltaire’s cheerful inspiration; it is this sparkling ease combined with the vivacity of the satire that makes the Maid a masterpiece” (Dictionary of Works).
Magnificent copy preserved in its contemporary red morocco, with monogram and armorial pieces of the Marquis de la Villette.
Exceptional provenance: the Marquis de la Villette married Voltaire’s adopted daughter.
“Charles-Michel Marquis de Villette (1736-1793) was married in Ferney in November 1777 to Voltaire’s adopted daughter. A close friend of Voltaire, he loved literature and the arts and assembled a sumptuous library” (O. Hermal, plche 2403).
