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297 - VOLTAIRE. Complete Works [Beaumarchais, ed.
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Estimate €700 - €900
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Description
VOLTAIRE. Complete Works [Beaumarchais, ed. by Kehl]. The finest edition of Voltaire’s works. ‎[Kehl], Printed by the Société Littéraire-Typographique, 1784–1789. In-8 (22 x 13.5 cm), marbled tan sheepskin, ribbed spine decorated with gilt panels, pasted-on labels (title and volume number). Marbled edges. Contemporary binding. 70 volumes (out of 70), uncollated; numerous plates. Binding defects (scuffing and tears). False title page and flyleaf title in the last volume. A fine, complete copy (70 volumes) of the so-called ‘Kehl’ edition, the most famous of the editions of Voltaire’s works. It was printed on five different types of paper, and only the editions printed on large-format paper feature the engravings; these are naturally the most sought-after and rarest copies. Here, the 70 volumes are printed on large-format laid paper, with generous margins, and contain numerous engraved plates from the first print run (uncollated), including the portrait of Voltaire on the frontispiece, based on a work by De Largilliere. The Kehl edition came into being in 1777, during a visit by Panckoucke to Ferney, in the course of which he obtained Voltaire’s authorisation (Voltaire would work alongside him for two years before his death). Panckoucke, whose political and logistical resources were insufficient, ceded the rights to Beaumarchais, who deployed considerable resources: purchasing Baskerville’s typefaces, organising subscriptions and a lottery, taking over Kehl Fort (leased for twenty years for the occasion!), and buying around ten printing presses… The publication of this great work would ruin Beaumarchais, who nevertheless wrote: “Europe will be satisfied and I will have lost 600,000 livres [...] over the past five years. I had the audacious courage to keep my word to Europe.”
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About the sale Collectors’ books for sale – First editions – Illustrated editions – Varia IV
Auction location
Auction time 11/02/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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