8vo. [2], ii, 208pp. Contemporary navy calf, richly tooled in gilt and blind, marbled edges. Lightly rubbed, spine dulled. Marbled endpapers, internally clean and crisp. From the library of the Dukes of Portland, with their Crowned P device to upper board, and further shelf-marks in gilt to spine.

A handsome copy of the first London edition of the memoirs of Enlightenment philosopher and historian Voltaire (1694-1778). The work commences with an extract from an anonymous letter dated 2nd May, 1784 which explains that two or three editions of the memoirs have already been seized, and seven booksellers imprisoned, yet despite this those who were close to Voltaire believe them to be authentic, though he had insisted that they be destroyed upon his death, a copy likely being secreted away by his secretary.