Candide

Candide by Voltaire, First edition, first French published edition, Paris, 1759 $15,000

Voltaire did a brilliant job of getting this book out without the censors finding it. He had it published in 1759 in Geneva, London and Paris among other spots across Europe. The subject was so controversial (attacks on both Church and State) that publishing in Paris could result in Bastille prison time, something that Voltaire was familiar with. He published the book under the name Mr. le Docteur RALPH. Titled Candide, ou L’Optimisme, Traduit de L’Allemand. Bengesco 1438 p.21 lendemin, page 45 is paginated as 25, page 123 is paginated as 223. Gorgeous 300 year old pages of this masterpiece by the literary great and rebel Voltaire! One of thirteen publications of Candide in 1759 according to the New York Public Library which has in its Rare Book Room all 13 of these editions which have been displayed but not allowed to touch. Now you can own a piece of Renaissance history and the greatest Voltaire work. “Everything that happens is all for the best!” Binding is very old but in very good condition. No splitting. The book is complete and raw. This indeed is a classic piece of literature “found in the wild” in a Midwestern U.S. warehouse. Unbelievable survival. Verified against New York Public Library 1759 editions and actually first published in Voltaire’s France. This book needs to go to a real good home as it is a very rare find. As Virginia Woolf said about Candide: “100 pages which we will remember the rest of our lives.” For “Follow the Flag” collectors, this is the must have Candide copy (not Geneva, not London); we are talking about a leader of the Renaissance. An investment piece. Libraries and museums bill to suit. This book can be shipped to Europe but shipping will be at cost for an overseas purchase. 

Publication Date: 1759
Signed: No
Condition: Very good