NAUDIN (Bernard) - VOLTAIRE. - Lot 119

NAUDIN (Bernard) - VOLTAIRE. The Ingenious. True story drawn from the manuscripts of Father Quesnel. New edition printed on the original of 1767. Paris : Auguste Blaizot, 1927. - In-4, 271 x 215 : 176 pp, (2 ff.), printed cover. Jansenist blue morocco, spine ribbed, brown morocco lining decorated with a large gilt frame composed of rocaille fillets and irons as well as mosaic palmettes in pink morocco at the corners and in the center of the large sides, dark blue moiré silk endpapers, double endpapers, gilt edges on witnesses, cover and spine preserved, lined case (Ch. Septier). Carteret, IV, p. 406. "Beautiful publication, among the most important of the artist" (Carteret). This work was entirely conceived by the painter, draughtsman and engraver Bernard NAUDIN (1876-1946) who not only designed the typefaces but also realized the illustrations including various ornaments reproduced in the header and in the trailing letters as well as 29 beautiful compositions including a portrait of the author engraved with a burin and 28 figures engraved with etching including one at the justification, one at the head of the first chapter, one at the end of the printing and 25 on full page. Edition at 351 copies. One of the first 50 copies on Japan paper, with the etchings in two states, this one exceptionally enriched with 10 trial prints of 10 etchings, on different papers. A very nice copy in a lined binding by Charles Septier. Provenance: Robert Beauvillain, with bookplate engraved by Charles Jouas.