A rare example of a first edition Candide, published in Geneva by Cramer, 1759.

299pp.  Woodcut ornaments and Voltaire's corrected pages (pp. 31/32, 41/42, 83/84, 85/86) all correspond to Barber’s 299G (Morize 59a, Wade 1, Bengesco 1434), discovered to be the true first edition.

This copy reveals itself as the 1759 Cramer edition with the following notable details and revisions:  the title ornament of spray, fruit and flowers is repeated at pp. 193 and 266;. 103, line 4, has the misprint 'que ce ce fut' (corrected to 'que ce fut' in later editions); p. 125, line 4, has 'précisément' (corrected to 'précipitamment' in later editions); Voltaire's revisions on p. 31 eliminating an unnecessary paragraph break; and on p. 41 the rewritten several short sentences on the Lisbon earthquake.

A very good copy, expertly recased in contemporary full calf binding, paneled with double gilt rule. Spine with raised bands, gilt text and tool work inside compartments.

First London edition Candide published by John Nourse, London, 1759. 

299pp.  (Barber 299L, Wade 2, Morize 59x)

This rare example was long thought to be the true first edition after extensive research by Ira Wade.  More recently, Barber concluded that the first London edition was an example of the earliest state of the printed text, sent to London before Voltaire made last-minute revisions (as revealed in the “Avis au relieur” that remains in a few Geneva printings).  Additionally, there is no mention of the book by the London press until May 1759, while the Geneva printing appeared in mid-January.

Light foxing throughout. Recased in contemporary full calf binding, paneled with double gilt rule. Spine with raised bands, gilt text and tool work inside compartments.