Exploring Voltaire's "Collection Complette Des Oeuvres de Mr de Voltaire Premiere Editions"
This beautiful first edition set of Voltaire's works, "Collection Complette Des Oeuvres de Mr de Voltaire Premiere Editions", sold for $240 at Britannic Auctions.
Voltaire's "Oeuvres" refers to his complete works or collected writings. As one of the most prolific writers of the Enlightenment era, Voltaire produced a vast array of literary, philosophical, and historical works encompassing essays, novels, plays, letters, and poetry.
A fine set in full-leather binding, the collection is dated 1756-1757 contains 17 volumes on the following topics:
- 7 volumes of Essay sur l'Histoire Generale Les Moeurs et l'Esprit des Nations
- 4 volumes of Ouvrages Dramatiques
- 1 volume of Histoire de Charles XII
- 1 volume of La Henriade avec les Pieces Relatives a ce Poeme (with frontispiece)
- 4 volumes of Melange de Philosophie, de Litterature, Suites des Melanges de Litterature and Melange de Poesies
The Timet Pudorem (Downe Coat of Arms) appears on each pastedown. The Downe Coat of Arms is a heraldic symbol associated with the Downe family. Heraldry, with its unique symbols and designs, was historically used to identify individuals, families, or institutions.
A very nice, rare set with a 1999 Sotheby's auction ticket inside one of the volumes in the sum of £483.
About Voltaire
Voltaire, born François-Marie Arouet (1694–1778), was a French Enlightenment writer, philosopher, and social critic. He is renowned for his prolific literary output, which includes essays, novels, plays, letters, and historical works.
Voltaire advocated for civil liberties, freedom of speech, and religious tolerance through his writings, challenging the authority of the French monarchy and the Catholic Church. His works, such as "Candide" and "Letters Concerning the English Nation," remain influential in shaping modern thought and continue to be studied for their wit, skepticism, and advocacy for rationalism.
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