[VOLTAIRE, François Marie Arouet.] Histoire de l'Empire de Russie sous Pierre le Grand, par l'auteur de l'histoire de Charles XII.

Voltaire and the Russians

[VOLTAIRE, François Marie Arouet.] Histoire de l'Empire de Russie sous Pierre le Grand, par l'auteur de l'histoire de Charles XII. [Geneva: Cramer.] 1765.

Two vols, 8vo. Contemporary sprinkled calf, spines ornamented in gilt and with morocco lettering-pieces, all edges gilt, marbled endpapers (bound as vols '24' and '25', but published separately); pp. I: 280; II: 288, woodcut vignettes and headpieces; a little wear to corners, p. 6 of vol. II with small paperflaw, otherwise a beautiful, clean and fresh set.

An early edition in a charming contemporary binding.

First published in 1759 and revised repeatedly by Voltaire until 1775, the Histoire de l’Empire de Russie sous Pierre le Grand draws on privileged information gathered through his connections with Catherine the Great and Frederick the Great. Written at the request of the Russian court, the work presents Peter the Great as the architect of Russia’s transformation into a modern European power.

SKU: 2119828