1765? - CALAS, SUR L’ECHAFAUD, A SES JUGES - RARE FRENCH POEM, REBOUND
Item History & Price
Calas, SurL’Echafaud, ASes Juges.----------------anon----------------Unknown Publisher (1765?), very rare edition----------------This is an anonymous, very rare copy ofthe poem “Calas, Sur L’Echafaud, A Ses Juges”, that was probably published in1765 (see below). The poem has been re-bound with quarter cloth bindings onmarbled boards, a gilt title to the spine, replacement endpapers, the titlepage is absent with the main body of the book leading with the title of thepo...em on the first page, with a decorative head piece to the top of the firstpage, pp. 8. This is an anonymous eight page poemconcerning Jean Calas, which unfortunately does not have a title page toprovide any information on author and the publication date. In addition, the poemhas been rebound (probably the latter part of the 20th century). The onlyentries that I have been able to find for this poem in both the British Libraryand elsewhere on the Internet in the public domain indicate that this poem waspublished in 1765. Furthermore, the only confirmed publication date in Worldcatis also 1765, and a pencil note on the front free endpaper also identifies 1765as the publication date, hence I have assumed that this is the case for thecopy. This is a rare example of this poem in that whilst I have found originalcopies in the British Library and Worldcat, I have only found modern print ondemand copies elsewhere on the Internet in the public domain.According to an Internet source:“Jean Calas (1698 – March 10, 1762) wasa merchant living in Toulouse, France, who was tried, tortured and executed forthe murder of his son, despite his protestations of innocence. Calas was aProtestant in an officially Roman Catholic society. Doubts about his guilt wereraised by opponents of the Catholic Church and he was exonerated in 1764. ……………French philosopher Voltaire was contacted about the case, and after initialsuspicions that Calas was guilty of anti-Catholic fanaticism were dispelled byhis allegations, he began a campaign to get Calas' sentence overturned, claiming that Marc-Antoine had committed suicide because of gambling debts andnot being able to finish his university studies due to his confession.Voltaire's efforts were successful, and King Louis XV received the family and hadthe sentence annulled in 1764.” Despite the missing title page, generally, this poem is in fair to good condition overall. More specifically, externally it is slightly rubbed and bumped, and with some slight fading to thespine, internally there is some slight age browning, foxing and grubbinessthrough used, otherwise generally bright and tight throughout. Unpackaged this book weighs 60g (approx 2oz), and is 17.75 x 11.75 cm (12mo) or approximately7 x 4¾ inches in size. Further InformationShipping:We can ship to you worldwide.Our preferredmethods of shipping will be through using a tracked and insured service; however, we will offer you two shipping types and costs for you to choose from - pleaseselect the appropriate method for you. If you choose to use a non-insuredmethod we cannot be responsible for any losses in transit. If you would prefera shipping method other than that offered then please ask us before bidding forthe item.Please note that for residents of theChannel Islands and some other off-shore locations in the UK there may beadditional charges, please contact us for a quotation before bidding on anyitem.Please note: we offer a combinedshipping service, which we will automatically apply in the case of multiplepurchases.We will ensure that all books are wellpacked and protected by bubble wrap for the journey.Terms of Sale:Your satisfaction is our main concernand, therefore, we will offer a full money back refund if your purchase is notas described.
