VOLTAIRE. Complete works. S.l. (Kehl), Imprimerie de la Soci - Lot 75

VOLTAIRE. Complete works. S.l. (Kehl), Imprimerie de la Société littéraire-typographique, 1784-1789. 70 volumes in-8, blond basane racinée, smooth spines decorated with a repeated gilded quiver and stag, blue marbled edges (Binding of the period). Bengesco, IV-p. 105 et seq., n° 2142 / Cohen, 1042. Famous Kehl edition of Voltaire's works, published under the direction of Condorcet and Decroix and printed by Beaumarchais at his own expense. This edition was printed on five different papers described by Bengesco, two of which contain no figures. This copy has mainly the characteristics of the so-called grand papier fin, with figures, but includes some remarks from the other papers, notably some signatures "à l'*" or "à la †". A first-edition copy, with all titles dated 1784 except the last one published in 1789. The collation is almost identical to that given by Bengesco, with the exception of volume XXV. Edition illustrated with a frontispiece portrait of Voltaire, engraved by Tardieu after Largillière, a dedication leaf with an allegorical portrait of Frédéric II, engraved by Dambrun after Moreau le Jeune; 93 plates engraved after Moreau le Jeune by Fossoyeux, Boisson, Simonet, Tardieu, Bacquoy, etc., 15 portraits including an additional one, and an hors-texte plan. A fine copy bound in contemporary style, Some rubbing to upper covers and some wetness, tears or browning. Missing engraved dedication leaf in first volume. Detailed collation and list of defects on request.