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an old book sitting on top of a white table next to a white wallan old book with writing on it sitting open on a white surfacean old piece of paper with writing on it and a picture of a horsean open book with a drawing of a cannon on the cover
MILLON RIVIERA

165 - [WITH AN AUTOGRAPH NOTE BY VOLTAIRE]
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Estimate €800 - €1,200
Sale commission
Description
[WITH AN AUTOGRAPH NOTE BY VOLTAIRE] VADE, (Guillaume) VADE, (Guillaume): Contes de Guillaume Vadé No place, 1764. 8vo. Contemporary marbled sheepskin binding, ribbed spine decorated with gilt metal fittings, garnet morocco title label. Minor scuffs on the covers. Weakness at the top of the joint on the front cover. Title page decorated with a vignette depicting astronomical instruments, XVI-386 pp., [2] pp. of tables. In 1764, a collection entitled *Contes de Guillaume Vadé* was published anonymously: it comprises seven tales in verse, two in prose, and a motley assortment of texts, some of which had already been published, and which therefore leave little doubt as to the author’s identity: Voltaire. A copy enriched with a precious autograph note by Voltaire, partly pasted onto the half-title page. No place, no date. Approx. 6 x 9.6 cm. Deletions. VOLTAIRE refers to PLATO & defines true love: ‘ Plato’s Androgyne, or intellectual maxims proving that true love consists simply in the union of souls”. Two words are crossed out: ‘Quel’ and ‘au d’. A fine document on the myth of Plato’s Androgyne and true love. Voltaire’s manuscripts are rare. We would like to thank Ms Mathilde Lalin-Leprévost, an expert in ancient manuscripts, rare letters and archives, and a member of the Compagnie Nationale des Experts (CNE), for her expert assessment of this autograph note.
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About the sale Bibliophilia – A fine selection of antique and modern books
Auction location
Auction time 10/15/2026 at 1:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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