About this Item
One of 225 copies, unnumbered, folio size, 24 pp., in French. Written by Frederick the Great (1712-1786), king of Prussia from 1740 until his death, this letter contemplates suicide as an alternative to surrendering in battle; the king had just experienced a devastating defeat at Kolin during the Seven Years' War, as well as the death of his beloved mother (per Mardersteig). The epistle, written to his close friend Jean-Baptiste de Boyer, Marquis d'Argens (1704-1771), is a poignant examination of heartfelt and human desperation. Printed by the Officinia Bodoni, a highly-regarded private press owned and operated by Giovanni Mardersteig (1892-1977), the book exhibits a gorgeous binding of vellum and paste-paper, with intricate patterns carved into the deep blue paper; the Press was known for its superb standard in printing and bookmaking, often doing commission work for other publishers, such as the Limited Editions Club and Faber and Faber. ___DESCRIPTION: Quarter vellum with blue paste-paper boards, gilt lettering on the spine, fore- and bottom edges uncut, title page in red and black, some signatures unopened; Bodoni Catania types, Fabriano handmade paper, folio size (12" by 8.5"), pagination: [1-2] 3-22 [23] [1 colophon], one of 225 copies, unnumbered. Please note the text is in French. Bookseller's ticket on the rear paste-down, from Paul Elder & Co., San Francisco. Housed in a slipcase covered in orange paper. ___CONDITION: Volume is near fine, with clean boards, straight corners, a strong, square text block with solid hinges, the interior is clean and bright, and entirely free of prior owner markings; a bare hint of rubbing to the corners, light rubbing to the bottom edges of the boards, and a few rubbed spots to the pastepaper (we believe all of this simply from the slipcase being a tad too small), else fine. The slipcase is near fine, strong and sturdy, clean but for the hint of a stray mark or two, some light rubbing to the extremities and light sunning to the edges and spine. ___CITATION: Mardersteig no. 10. ___POSTAGE: International customers, please note that additional postage may apply as the standard does not always cover costs; please inquire for details. ___Swan's Fine Books is pleased to be a member of the ABAA, ILAB, and IOBA and we stand behind every book we sell. Please contact us with any questions you may have, we are here to help. Seller Inventory # 18010207
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