Descrizione

THE TWO FIRST EDITIONS OF DIDEROT'S GREATEST LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL MASTERPIECE. The first item, published by Delaunay in 1821, is actually a re-translation into French of Goethe's German translation. vii, 262 pp (complete with the publisher's catalogue and the frontispiece depicting the title character with a crazed expression.) The second item, published in 1823 (but dated 1821) is the first edition of the true French text. 3, XXVII, 394 pp (complete with the "table chronologique des œuvres de Diderot", which is often missing.) 8vos. The first item is bound late 19th-century three-quarters morocco and decorated boards. ORIGINAL WRAPS AND BACKSTRIP PRESERVED. Top edge gilt, other edges uncut. A bit of wear to extremities of binding, but internally fine and bright. The second item is bound in recent white ivory boards. Some discoloration to paper, as always, but otherwise fine and bright. AN OUTSTANDING SET OF THE TWO FIRST EDITIONS OF ONE OF THE GREAT MASTERPIECES OF THE EUROPEAN LITERARY TRADITION.