Candide

New York: Random House. Fine in Very Good dust jacket. 1975. Facsimile; First Printing. Hardcover. Slipcase has slight wear to the corners at the opening, wear across the head end of the spine, and more wear and a short paper split at the tail end. Faint soil and an ink line on the bottom surface.; Written in 1762, Voltaire's classic Candide: or, Optimism is a satire featuring a young, French gentleman lurching through life, bemoaning his various ill fortunes, yet cheerfully optimistic about himself and living in "the best of all possible worlds." He discusses life and his own foibles, constantly, with his long-suffering companion and tutor Panglos. Witty and clever on the surface, the work is savage in its attacks on society, religion, the political establishment, and the philosophy of optimism. Those entrenched interests attacked Voltaire and Candide's content, earning him denouncement and scorn. This was in keeping with his life of abrading nearly all he encountered, this characteristic causing him to wander between many relationships, benefactors, and countries. This 1975 facsimile edition of Candide reproduces the 1928 edition by Random House, published as the first book from that imprint, and the title page bearing their new device drawn by prolific illustrator Rockwell Kent. One of an unnumbered edition of 1,000: 500 distributed as keepsakes to friends of the publisher, 500 offered for sale. Begins with a Biographical Note about Voltaire's writing of the work, its early publication, and the general condemnation of its content. Contains 2 plates, including the title page, and 108 chapter headings and cuts, all ink drawings in Rockwell Kent's austere manner. Reproduces the original design and composition by Pynson Printers who set it in type designed by Lucian Bernhard. Although unstated, the design appears to be by Bernhard Roman. Bernhard was a frequent collaborator with Pynson, and whose own studio was in the same corridor as Pynson in the New York Times Annex building, NYC. Bernhard was a logical and handy collaborator with Rockwell Kent, as he had established the Contempora Studio with Kent and other artists in 1928, the year of the Random House publication of Candide. Paginated [3],[blank],9-111,[2],[6 blank]. This edition printed on cream Artlaid paper. Pastedowns and endpapers patterned with a Random House logo. This binding variant in burnt orange linen over boards, gilt title to spine, red and gilt framed device to front. Candide remains an inspiration to authors, script and screenwriters, and those who appreciate satire with wicked purpose. In clean, sharp, Fine condition with in a clean, Very Good slipcase.; B&W Illustrations; 4to 11" - 13" tall; 111 pages .