La Pucelle D’Orléans
[François-Marie Arouet de Voltaire]. Gravelot, illustrator. La Pucelle D’Orléans, Poëme, Divisé en Vingt Chants, Avec Des Notes. [Geneva], 1762. First edition authorized by the author.
Octavo. viii + 358pp. Illustrated with twenty full-page engraved plates after designs by Gravelot. Contemporary full mottled calf, gilt-stamped titles to spine, all edges stained red. Text in French. Bengesco 488; Brunet V, 1362; Lewine 558.
First authorized edition of Voltaire’s satirical epic poem on Joan of Arc. Published in response to numerous pirated editions, Voltaire completely revised the text and added five additional cantos, as well as a prefatory essay and commentaries.
Binding rubbed, bumped, and soiled, with minor loss to spine head; lightly cracked to joints; slight bowing to boards; minor uniform toning throughout; worm damage along upper textblock edge extending from preface to page 34; offsetting to endleaves; bookplate to front pastedown; dealer description affixed to rear pastedown. Still, very good. Item #1926Price: $750.00