DIDEROT (Denis). - Lot 21

DIDEROT (Denis). Jacques le fataliste et son maître. Paris : Buisson, An cinquième de la République [1796]. - 2 volumes in-8, grained basane, smooth spine decorated, speckled edges (period binding). Adams, "Bibliographie des œuvres de Denis Diderot", II, JF1. First edition of Denis Diderot's satirical novel, published posthumously. It is the author's last major work, composed as a long dialogue containing all manner of adventures, tales and extremely varied digressions. "The publication of Jacques le fataliste was based on a manuscript of unknown origin (but probably from Grimm's library), at the same time as Prince Henry of Prussia sent another manuscript of the novel to the French National Institute. Buisson took advantage of this circumstance to convince the public that this princely manuscript had served as the basis for his edition" (Adams, II, p. 179). Copy in contemporary binding. Spine and boards faded, epidermal wear, loss at head of second volume, wormholes at hinges, corners dulled. Tear to folio C2 of the first volume, with loss and damage to the text. Some rare freckling.