Candide

Candide by Voltaire, First edition, first French published edition, Paris, 1759 $30,000

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 fictitious 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 265 year old pages in remarkable condition 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 to the binding. The book is complete, raw and unsophisticated. This indeed is a classic piece of literature “found in the wild” in a Midwestern U.S. warehouse. Verified against New York Public Library 1759 complete editions and printer’s device on title page. This particular copy is first published in Voltaire’s Paris, France. The book was not meant for Geneva publication by such a rock star as Voltaire. He is French and these words were very dangerous to anyone caught with them in France. This book needs to go to a real good home as it is a very rare find and has been hidden for 265 years and somehow wound up in a warehouse in the United States. Completely unsophisticated, not touched by restorers. 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 and insurance will be at cost for an overseas purchase. 

Publication Date: 1759
Signed: No
Condition: Very good