1453
VOLTAIRE: (1694-1778)
1/3
Description
VOLTAIRE: (1694-1778) French Enlightenment Writer and Philosopher. Voltaire is a pseudonym, his name being François-Marie Arouet. Voltaire is known for his attacks on Catholic Church, and his advocacy of freedom of religion and expression, and separation of church and state. A rare fully autograph lengthy letter with excellent content, A.L.S., `V´, three pages, 4to, Postdam, 4th November [1752}, to M. Formey, in French. The present letter is a continuous eruption of verbal spiritual, like fireworks with a concentration of Voltaire's verve, humour and philosophy. The facts that shed light on the circumstances of this letter start with a translation of Bolingbroke's Letters on History that had just been published, and in which the authenticity of the Bible is attacked. Formey provided, for the New German Library, an extract from the pamphlets of Zimmermann, "the illustrious theologian of Basel,", and had chosen as his subject the Dissertation on Incredulity, in order to have the opportunity to make a sally against the incredulous. Frederick, King of Prussia continued his kindness to Formey, but granted Voltaire the privilege of printing a response. This appeared under the name of "Doctor Goodnatur'd Wellwisher, chaplain to the Earl of Chesterfield" and was entitled Defense of Milord Bolingbroke. The text caused a scandal because of its impiety. Voltaire has no limits using his words and attacks his correspondent with humour mixed with harsch sentences, stating in part `En vérité, monsieur, je ne vous croyais pas Suisse. Un illustre théologien de Bâle écrit que milord Bolingbroke a eu la chaude pisse et de là il tire la conséquence évidente que Moïse est l’auteur du Pentateuque. On prétend que de bonnes lois et de bonnes troupes ne valent rien, si l’on n’a pas une foi vive pour les dogmes de Zwingle et d’Ecolampade. Or, comme Titus, Marc-Aurèle, Trajan, Nerva, Julien, etc., etc., avaient le malheur horrible de ne croire pas plus à Zwingle qu’au pape, et que cependant tout allait assez bien de leur temps, on a cru à Potsdam ne devoir pas être tout à fait de l’avis du révérend docteur suisse. Le chapelain de milord Chesterfield a pris en bon chrétien la cause de milord Bolingbroke, il l’a défendue dans une lettre pieuse et modeste. La traduction est parvenue ici avec la permission des supérieurs. Le roi a beaucoup ri: faites-en de même. Il paye bien les docteurs, et se moque des disputes théologiques, métaphysiques, phoronomiques, et dynamiques. Soyez très tranquille, vivez gaiement de l’Évangile et de la philosophie, et laissez les profanes douter de la chronologie de Moïse, et des monades. Tâchez de conserver la vôtre; faites-vous couvrir de poix-résine; essayez de vous mettre de grandes épingles dans le cul, suivant l’avis de l’auteur des nouvelles Lettres. Tâtez des forces centrifuges, ou plutôt faites-vous embaumer tout vivant, afin de n’attraper que dans sept ou huit cents ans ce point de maturité qui est la mort.´ (Translation: "In truth, sir, I did not believe you were Swiss. An illustrious theologian from Basel writes that Lord Bolingbroke had the piss hot, and from this he draws the obvious conclusion that Moses is the author of the Pentateuch. It is claimed that good laws and good troops are worthless if one does not have a lively faith in the dogmas of Zwinglius and Ecolampadius. Now, since Titus, Marcus Aurelius, Trajan, Nerva, Julian, etc., etc., had the horrible misfortune of believing no more in Zwingli than in the Pope, and yet everything was going quite well in their time, it was believed in Potsdam that they should not be entirely of the opinion of the reverend Swiss doctor. Lord Chesterfield's chaplain took up Lord Bolingbroke's cause as a good Christian, and defended it in a pious and modest letter. The translation has reached us here with the permission of the superiors. The king laughed heartily: do the same. He pays the doctors well, and laughs at theological, metaphysical, phoronomic, and dynamic disputes. Be very calm, live happily on the Gospel and philosophy, and let the profane doubt the chronology of Moses, and the monads. Try to preserve yours; have yourself covered with pitch-resin; try to put large pins in your ass, following the advice of the author of the new Letters. Feel centrifugal forces, or rather have yourself embalmed while still alive, so as not to reach that point of maturity which is death until seven or eight hundred years from now.") Further, Voltaire continues with his mockery and using his deep knowledge, ridicules his correspondent relentlessly saying `Pour moi, si je peux jamais rattraper ma jeunesse, je compte aller faire un tour aux terres australes avec Dalichamp. Il dissèquera des cervelles de géants hauts de douze pieds, et des hommes velus comme des ours avec des queues de singe. Alors nous saurons des nouvelles positives de la nature de l’âme; j’exalte ici la mienne pour vous prédire l’avenir: car vous savez qu’un peu d’exaltation fait voir le futur comme le passé. Je vous prédis donc que ceux qui tourneront les sottises de ce monde en raillerie seront toujours les plus heureux, et, pour revenir du futur au passé, je vous jure que Démocrite avait raison et qu’Héraclite avait tort. Croyez-moi, ne mettez aux choses que leur prix, et ne prenez point de grosses balances pour peser des toiles d’araignée. Il y a mille occasions où un vaudeville vaut mieux qu’une lamentation de Jérémie...´ (Translation: "As for me, if I can ever regain my youth, I intend to take a tour of the southern lands with Dalichamp. He will dissect the brains of twelve-foot-tall giants, and men as hairy as bears with monkey tails. Then we will know positive news about the nature of the soul; I exalt mine here to predict the future for you: for you know that a little exaltation makes you see the future as the past. I predict to you, then, that those who turn the foolishness of this world into mockery will always be the happiest, and, to return from the future to the past, I swear to you that Democritus was right and Heraclitus was wrong. Believe me, put only their price on things, and do not take large scales to weigh cobwebs. There are a thousand occasions when a vaudeville is worth more than a lamentation by Jeremiah...") Paper with an HR watermark. Spine lightly and professionally reinforced and a very small tear to the bottom edge, otherwise G to VGThe present letter shows several interesting small variations from the published text of Voltaire´s correspondences.Johann Heinrich Samuel Formey (1711-1797) German pastor and man of letters. Although Formey fought against the ideas of philosophers, he was in contact with Voltaire, who published several short texts in his journal L’Abeille du Parnasse. He became known in particular by publishing an Anti-Emile, which refuted Rousseau’s ideas on education point by point. Voltaire and Formey soon fell out, which can easily be deduced from reading this letter. The present letter shows several interesting small variations from the published text of Voltaire´s correspondences.
Auction Details
Shipping
T&Cs & Important Info
Ask seller a question
VOLTAIRE: (1694-1778) French Enlightenment Writer and Philosopher. Voltaire is a pseudonym, his name being François-Marie Arouet. Voltaire is known for his attacks on Catholic Church, and his advocacy of freedom of religion and expression, and separation of church and state. A rare fully autograph lengthy letter with excellent content, A.L.S., `V´, three pages, 4to, Postdam, 4th November [1752}, to M. Formey, in French. The present letter is a continuous eruption of verbal spiritual, like fireworks with a concentration of Voltaire's verve, humour and philosophy. The facts that shed light on the circumstances of this letter start with a translation of Bolingbroke's Letters on History that had just been published, and in which the authenticity of the Bible is attacked. Formey provided, for the New German Library, an extract from the pamphlets of Zimmermann, "the illustrious theologian of Basel,", and had chosen as his subject the Dissertation on Incredulity, in order to have the opportunity to make a sally against the incredulous. Frederick, King of Prussia continued his kindness to Formey, but granted Voltaire the privilege of printing a response. This appeared under the name of "Doctor Goodnatur'd Wellwisher, chaplain to the Earl of Chesterfield" and was entitled Defense of Milord Bolingbroke. The text caused a scandal because of its impiety. Voltaire has no limits using his words and attacks his correspondent with humour mixed with harsch sentences, stating in part `En vérité, monsieur, je ne vous croyais pas Suisse. Un illustre théologien de Bâle écrit que milord Bolingbroke a eu la chaude pisse et de là il tire la conséquence évidente que Moïse est l’auteur du Pentateuque. On prétend que de bonnes lois et de bonnes troupes ne valent rien, si l’on n’a pas une foi vive pour les dogmes de Zwingle et d’Ecolampade. Or, comme Titus, Marc-Aurèle, Trajan, Nerva, Julien, etc., etc., avaient le malheur horrible de ne croire pas plus à Zwingle qu’au pape, et que cependant tout allait assez bien de leur temps, on a cru à Potsdam ne devoir pas être tout à fait de l’avis du révérend docteur suisse. Le chapelain de milord Chesterfield a pris en bon chrétien la cause de milord Bolingbroke, il l’a défendue dans une lettre pieuse et modeste. La traduction est parvenue ici avec la permission des supérieurs. Le roi a beaucoup ri: faites-en de même. Il paye bien les docteurs, et se moque des disputes théologiques, métaphysiques, phoronomiques, et dynamiques. Soyez très tranquille, vivez gaiement de l’Évangile et de la philosophie, et laissez les profanes douter de la chronologie de Moïse, et des monades. Tâchez de conserver la vôtre; faites-vous couvrir de poix-résine; essayez de vous mettre de grandes épingles dans le cul, suivant l’avis de l’auteur des nouvelles Lettres. Tâtez des forces centrifuges, ou plutôt faites-vous embaumer tout vivant, afin de n’attraper que dans sept ou huit cents ans ce point de maturité qui est la mort.´ (Translation: "In truth, sir, I did not believe you were Swiss. An illustrious theologian from Basel writes that Lord Bolingbroke had the piss hot, and from this he draws the obvious conclusion that Moses is the author of the Pentateuch. It is claimed that good laws and good troops are worthless if one does not have a lively faith in the dogmas of Zwinglius and Ecolampadius. Now, since Titus, Marcus Aurelius, Trajan, Nerva, Julian, etc., etc., had the horrible misfortune of believing no more in Zwingli than in the Pope, and yet everything was going quite well in their time, it was believed in Potsdam that they should not be entirely of the opinion of the reverend Swiss doctor. Lord Chesterfield's chaplain took up Lord Bolingbroke's cause as a good Christian, and defended it in a pious and modest letter. The translation has reached us here with the permission of the superiors. The king laughed heartily: do the same. He pays the doctors well, and laughs at theological, metaphysical, phoronomic, and dynamic disputes. Be very calm, live happily on the Gospel and philosophy, and let the profane doubt the chronology of Moses, and the monads. Try to preserve yours; have yourself covered with pitch-resin; try to put large pins in your ass, following the advice of the author of the new Letters. Feel centrifugal forces, or rather have yourself embalmed while still alive, so as not to reach that point of maturity which is death until seven or eight hundred years from now.") Further, Voltaire continues with his mockery and using his deep knowledge, ridicules his correspondent relentlessly saying `Pour moi, si je peux jamais rattraper ma jeunesse, je compte aller faire un tour aux terres australes avec Dalichamp. Il dissèquera des cervelles de géants hauts de douze pieds, et des hommes velus comme des ours avec des queues de singe. Alors nous saurons des nouvelles positives de la nature de l’âme; j’exalte ici la mienne pour vous prédire l’avenir: car vous savez qu’un peu d’exaltation fait voir le futur comme le passé. Je vous prédis donc que ceux qui tourneront les sottises de ce monde en raillerie seront toujours les plus heureux, et, pour revenir du futur au passé, je vous jure que Démocrite avait raison et qu’Héraclite avait tort. Croyez-moi, ne mettez aux choses que leur prix, et ne prenez point de grosses balances pour peser des toiles d’araignée. Il y a mille occasions où un vaudeville vaut mieux qu’une lamentation de Jérémie...´ (Translation: "As for me, if I can ever regain my youth, I intend to take a tour of the southern lands with Dalichamp. He will dissect the brains of twelve-foot-tall giants, and men as hairy as bears with monkey tails. Then we will know positive news about the nature of the soul; I exalt mine here to predict the future for you: for you know that a little exaltation makes you see the future as the past. I predict to you, then, that those who turn the foolishness of this world into mockery will always be the happiest, and, to return from the future to the past, I swear to you that Democritus was right and Heraclitus was wrong. Believe me, put only their price on things, and do not take large scales to weigh cobwebs. There are a thousand occasions when a vaudeville is worth more than a lamentation by Jeremiah...") Paper with an HR watermark. Spine lightly and professionally reinforced and a very small tear to the bottom edge, otherwise G to VGThe present letter shows several interesting small variations from the published text of Voltaire´s correspondences.Johann Heinrich Samuel Formey (1711-1797) German pastor and man of letters. Although Formey fought against the ideas of philosophers, he was in contact with Voltaire, who published several short texts in his journal L’Abeille du Parnasse. He became known in particular by publishing an Anti-Emile, which refuted Rousseau’s ideas on education point by point. Voltaire and Formey soon fell out, which can easily be deduced from reading this letter. The present letter shows several interesting small variations from the published text of Voltaire´s correspondences.
Autograph Letters, Manuscripts & Historical Documents Auction featuring the Collection of a Leicestershire Gentleman Part I
Sale Date(s)
Lots: 1-580
Lots: 581-1140
Lots: 1141-1640
Venue Address
Calle Jerez S/N
Urb. El Real del Campanario
Esc. 12, Bajo B
Estepona
Malaga
29688
Spain
IAA Europe offer an in house shipping service for the convenience of buyers. Lots are securely packed and shipped via courier with full tracking details which will be supplied upon despatch.
Your invoice will include postage, packing and insurance charges.
Important Information
Day One - Lots 1 - 580
Day Two - Lots 581 - 1140
Day Three - Lots 1141 - 1640
Bidding at the auction will be online only.
We offer an in-house shipping service to worldwide destinations.
Terms & Conditions
Buyers Terms & Conditions
1. Interpretation
1.1. "Auctioneers" means " International Autograph Auctions Europe S.L. "
1.2. "Catalogue" means the brochure relating to a sale (including any addendum thereto) and any other related documents and advertisements.
1.3. "Conditions" means these terms and conditions of sale
1.4. "Hammer Price" means the price at which a lot is knocked down by the Auctioneers to the Purchaser.
1.5. "Purchaser" means the person who purchases a lot or lots pursuant to these conditions.
1.6. "Seller" means the person who is selling the lot or lots pursuant to these conditions.
1.7. "VAT" means Value Added Tax.
2. Bidding
2.1. The highest bidder for each lot shall be the Purchaser of that lot.
2.2. No person shall be entitled to retract a bid. The Auctioneers reserve the right of refusing any bid without giving any reason and of altering, adding to, dividing, consolidating or withdrawing any lot or lots for sale.
2.3. The Auctioneers reserve the right to fix a reserve price for any lot at a figure no higher than the lower estimate.
2.4. The Auctioneers reserve the right to bid on behalf of the Seller on lots which are subject to a reserve price. The Seller shall not be entitled to bid where the Auctioneers have reserved such a right.
2.5. In the case of a dispute as to any bid the Auctioneers may immediately determine the dispute or put up the lot again at the last undisputed bid or withdraw the lot.
2.6. The Auctioneers will accept written commission bids free of charge from any person who is unable to attend the sale. Bids will also be accepted by telephone and fax at the sender's risk.
2.7. Lots will not normally be sold at less than two-thirds bottom estimate.
3. Payment
3.1. Each Purchaser shall give in his name and address and proof of identity (if required) to the Auctioneers at a sale and shall if required pay such deposit as the Auctioneers may specify.
3.2. The Purchaser shall pay the Hammer Price together with a premium of 30.25% on the Hammer Price (this amount includes VAT and must not be shown separately or claimed as input tax). By the making of any bid the Purchaser acknowledges that his attention had been drawn to this fact and that he assents to the Auctioneers receiving the said commission. A 25% premium will be payable by Purchasers outside the European Union (EU). Zero-rated goods such as books will be subject to a premium of 25% whether within or outside the EU unless entered by a VAT registered Seller.
3.3. Payments for lots must be made in cash, bankers draft or cheque guaranteed by the bank upon which it is drawn. Lots will not be released against cheques from Purchasers unknown to the Auctioneers until cleared by such Purchaser's bank. Payment is accepted by Visa and Mastercard. A surcharge of 3% plus VAT will be levied to accounts settled by credit cards for non EU buyers. Payment is also accepted by most debit cards with no surcharge.
3.4. Overseas clients are requested to settle accounts by USA Dollars or Sterling bank transfer (details upon request), by Euro cheques, by Visa or Mastercard (a surcharge of 3% plus VAT [clients outside the EU exempt from VAT] will be levied to accounts settled by this method) or if payment is made on personal accounts in foreign currency the client is requested to add the equivalent of a further €10 to cover bank conversion charges. The Auctioneer reserves the right to claim back from the Purchasers any shortfall due to bank charges or currency fluctuations on that account.
3.5. No lots will be released by the Auctioneers until receipt of payment in full from the Purchaser.
4. Risk
4.1. All lots shall be the sole risk of the Purchaser from the fall of the hammer.
4.2. The Purchaser shall take all lots in the condition in which he finds them. It is the responsibility of all intending Purchasers to satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the authenticity in the authorship, date, age, period, condition or quality of any lot.
5. Liability
5.1. Neither the Seller of any lot nor the Auctioneers make or give nor has any person in the employment of the Auctioneers any authority to make or give any representation or warranty in relation to any lot and any implied conditions or warranties are excluded.
5.2. All statements contained in the Catalogue as to the authenticity, attribution, genuineness, origin, authorship, date, age, period, condition or quality of any lot are statements of opinion only and are not to be taken as or implying statements or representations of fact. Lots are sold subject to all faults and errors in description or otherwise.
5.3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 5.1. and 5.2. of these Conditions in the event of a dispute as to authenticity of any lot(s) the item or items in question should be returned to the Auctioneers within 21 days of receipt by the Purchaser of such lot(s) together with a formal statement by a recognised expert The Auctioneers shall at their option and without admission of liability reimburse the price paid by the Purchaser in respect of such lot(s). This does not constitute an approval service.
5.4. Neither the Auctioneers nor the Seller shall be responsible for any loss, damage or injury occasioned to or sustained by any person on the premises before, during or after a sale save in respect of death or personal injury caused by negligence of the Seller or the Auctioneers.
6. Capacity of Auctioneers
For all purposes of a sale the Auctioneers shall be deemed to be the agent of both the Seller and the Purchaser and they shall not be considered responsible for any default on the part of either the Seller or Purchaser.
7. Delivery
7.1. Lots will only be released once payment in full has been received from the Purchaser.
7.2 An insurance charge of 1.8 % plus VAT will be applied to all invoices for packages sent from our offices
7.3. Postage is subject to VAT at 21% within the EU
7.4. The Auctioneers will provide full customs declarations on the Hammer Price plus the Purchaser's premium and Purchaser's shall be responsible for any customs charges made by the country of import.
7.5. A charge will be made for the packing & shipping of deliveries which is subject to VAT at 21% within the EU.
8. Auctioneers Remedies
In the event that the Purchaser fails to pay for any lot(s) in full pursuant to these Conditions then the Auctioneers shall be entitled:
8.1. to rescind the sale of the relevant lot(s)
8.2. to resell the lot(s) without further notice either by public or private sale and the deficiency (if any) arising from such second sale together with all charges and expenses relating to the same shall be the responsibility of the defaulting Purchaser and shall be recoverable as and for liquidated damages.
9. Jurisdiction
These Conditions shall be governed by Spanish law and the parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Spanish courts.
Online Bidding
International Autograph Auctions Europe S.L. offer an online bidding service for bidders who cannot attend the sale, however please be advised that a charge of 3% + VAT is chargeable on all purchases made through any of the online bidding facilities offered.
In completing the bidder registration and providing your credit card details and unless alternative arrangements are agreed with International Autograph Auctions Europe S.L.
1. You authorise International Autograph Auctions Europe S.L., if they so wish, to charge the credit card given in part or full payment, including all fees, for items successfully purchased in the auction, and
2. confirm that you are authorised to provide these credit card details to International Autograph Auctions Europe S.L. and agree that International Autograph Auctions Europe S.L. are entitled to ship the goods to the card holder name and card holder address provided in fulfillment of the sale.
3. confirm that you accept that an additional charge of 3% + VAT will be applied to your invoice for use of an online bidding facility
