Voltaire. Notes upon an Unrivalled Collection of his Editions Originales including many unrecorded issues Presentation Copies original holograph manuscripts and autographs. [ G. Michelmore & Co., bookseller's catalogue, 1923 ]

Printed wrappers, small 4to, 26 cm, 102 unnumbered pages, 16 unnumbered leaves of plates : illustrations, facsimiles, portrait ; 202 items. Priced catalogue. A duplicated slip laid in explains that From the foreword: "This precious and unrivalled collection comprises one hundred and seventy-five (175) Works and twenty-six Holograph Manuscripts, Holograph Letters, and other manuscript material, in two hundred and five (205) volumes. As all the books are the true first editions (editions originales), it will be superfluous to repeat the phrase 'First Edition' in the note to each item. The basis of this truly superb Collection is the entire Library of Voltaire's First Editions formed by the eminent French bibliographer, Monsieur Henri Monod, and many of the books possess his autograph notes.The vast majority of the items are bound in calf extra. Many, however, are in their original bindings of morocco, calf and boards. Some are pristine uncut copies.The most complete Set of Editions Originales extant is that preserved in the Bibliothèque Nationale, but very many minor issues bibliographically unimportant, are included therein.The present Set, however, is the next in order of completeness and far finer as regards condition. The two other known Sets are those in the two famous American Libraries:1. The J. Pierpont Morgan; 2. Mr. Mortimer L. Schiff. The Set described herein possesses several points to which even the Bibliothèque Nationale cannot aspire : - First. It includes autograph presentation copies from Voltaire. Second. Previously unrecorded issues. Third. The fifth volume of the prodigiously rare 1738-60 edition of the Oeuvres - the first complete edition - which Voltaire's bibliographer, Bengesco, believed to be non-existent. Fourth. Holograph manuscripts and holograph letters, signed relative to his works. The present collection, therefore, is unrivalled." Partly priced in manuscript. Wrappers browned and worn with loss of pieces at edges. Michelmore's address stamp at foot of title-page. Contents somewhat agetoned, otherwise good.…