297 - VOLTAIRE. Complete Works [Beaumarchais, ed. by Kehl].

VOLTAIRE. Complete Works [Beaumarchais, ed. by Kehl]. The best edition of Voltaire’s works. [Kehl], Imprimerie de la 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 (of 70), uncollated; numerous plates. Binding defects (scuffing and tears). False title page and flyleaf title in the last volume. A beautiful, complete copy (70 volumes) of the so-called “Kehl” edition, the most famous of all editions of Voltaire’s works. It was printed on five different types of paper, and only the editions printed on large-size paper include the engravings; these are naturally the most sought-after and rarest copies. Here, the 70 volumes are printed on large laid paper, with generous margins, and contain numerous engraved plates from the first printing (uncollated), including the portrait of Voltaire on the frontispiece based on a work by De Largilliere. The Kehl edition was published in 1777, during a visit by Panckoucke to Ferney, during which he obtained permission from Voltaire (who would work alongside him for two years before his death). Panckoucke, whose political and logistical resources were insufficient, ceded the rights to Beaumarchais, who mobilized considerable resources: purchasing Baskerville’s typefaces, organizing subscriptions and a lottery, taking over the Fort of Kehl (leased for twenty years for the occasion!), and buying about 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.”