Candide

by Jean François Marie Arouet de Voltaire

bibliographical note by Charles Edmund Merrill Jr.

illustrated by Rockwell Kent 

First, limited edition, signed by the artist.  New York:  Random House, 1928  

Hardback is overall in VERY GOOD condition.

• Glazed buckram covers have frame, title, and illustration gilt embossed. 
• Boards show some exposure, edgewear.  Corners are bumped.  See photos.  
• Spine has gilt text dimmed and is darkened with softened ends.  See photos.
• Binding is secure, opening to stitches at pages 18-19, 82-83.  See photos.  
• Custom two-colored Random House end papers/ pastedowns show little to no sign of age or wear.
• Illustrations are bright and clear.  
• Interior shows few signs of age, a couple closed tears at foot of page 12.  See photos.  
• Inside pages are free of writing and intentional marks.
• Text block edges have deckle fore and foot edges. 
• PS2026.1008

111 pages. 7.5 x 11.25 inches

The First Book Published by Random House.  Illustrated throughout by Rockwell Kent and Signed by him on the Colophon.  Quarto.  Publisher's tan cloth, beveled edges, title and illustration picked out in gilt.  Wear to the gilt on the cover, spine is darkened.  Interior is bright.  Limited edition of 1470 copies, of which this is #991.  Condition is overall Very Good.   

This volume is a piece of publishing history.  As stated in the Colophon, this edition of Candide is the first book issued by the newly formed Random House publishing house.  The text chosen by the publishers was classic, the choice of illustrator was up-to-the minute and American.  Rockwell Kent (1882-1971), the versatile painter, printmaker, illustrator and writer, captured the classical, the heroic, and the modern in his illustrations.  Notably, Kent sketched a small house for the colophon page of Candide, a representation of the idealized country home where Candide cultivates his garden.  That house went on to become the Random House logo, used as a trademark to this day.

The limited edition of 1470 numbered and signed copies that made up the Random House debut sold out almost immediately.  It was subsequently released in trade editions, by the Literary Guild in 1929, and again by Random House in 1930.   

Edition of 1470 numbered copies, printed on all rag French paper, plus 95 copies colored in Rockwell Kent's studio.  Copy was hand set in type designed by Lucian Bernhard, with paragraph designs by Rockwell Kent.  The type and designs were cast by the Bauersche Giesserei in Frankfort.  Composition and press work were by Elmer Adler's Pynson Printers.  Printing was completed in April, 1928.  This is copy #991.  Signed on the Colophon by Rockwell Kent.

Please see photos. More photos available upon request.

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