Lavish limited edition of this landmark in speculative fiction, with rich images hand-colored in pochoir in Hémard's characteristic 1920s style — and an original drawing by him.
Near fine.
Price: $1,000.00
In this conte philosophique originally published in French in 1752, Voltaire uses a fantastic voyage in the tradition of Jonathan Swift to satirize life on planet Earth. The title character, a giant named Micromegas who lives on a planet near Sirius, is banished in Voltairean style for writing a book that "was condemned by judges who had never read it." He journeys with an inhabitant of Saturn through our solar system; together, their observations emphasize the smallness of Earth compared to the vastness of the universe, and man's folly in believing himself to be at its center. This playful 1920s edition, beautifully printed on French handmade paper, lusciously bound by Kieffer, and vividly hand-colored, is a particularly fitting production for a modern take on Voltaire's satire.
Read more: Locke, Voyages in Space.
Paris: René Kieffer, 1923. 9.75'' x 6.25''. Bound by the publisher (Kieffer) in elaborately stamped red leather with design after Hémard, gilt-lettered spine, original wrappers bound in. Illustrated by Hémard with pochoir vignettes throughout. Text in French. 54, [2] pages. Limited edition of 500 copies, this one of 45 on vélin paper and with an original drawing by Hémard. Bookplate to front pastedown, Barcelona-based bookseller ticket to rear pastedown. Lightest sunning and rubbing to spine, else fresh, bright, clean.
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