Autograph poem by Voltaire written to accompany an engraving of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
Identifiers
CMV:
CMV36909
Repository:
Shelfmark:
MS 131
Title:
Autograph poem by Voltaire written to accompany an engraving of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
Collection(s):
No related collections found.
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Content
People:
Incipit Diplomatic:
il fut dans l’univers connu par ses ouvrages et dans son pays meme
Incipit Modernised:
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In Own Hand:
Brief Summary:
Autograph poem by Voltaire written to accompany an engraving of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz.
Detailed Summary:
Voltaire writes that Leibniz was known in the universe by his works and was respected in his home country. He adds that Leibniz instructed kings and enlightened the wise, concluding that he knew how to doubt. A provenance note added to the MS states that the poem was written for Pierre Soubeyran who was tasked with engraving the portrait of Leibniz that the verse would accompany. This portrait first appeared in the Mercure de France in August 1748 (p.161), but was engraved by one Gilles Edme Petit rather than Soubeyran as the note suggests.
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Physical Description
Material(s):
Extent:
1 f.
Format:
Dimensions:
173 x 113 mm
Hands:
2
Watermark:
The paper is watermarked with a post horn and the initials ‘LDV’, though much of the watermark is missing due to the paper being cut.
Countermark:
Binding:
Additional Comments:
The upper and lower edge of the MS have been folded to create tabs, and the MS has been folded into four (since unfolded). The MS was folded for display in a frame with the accompanying portrait, with the tabs folded inwards and the MS folded along the central horizontal fold line. The MS when displayed measures 69 x 113 mm. There are a series of ink dots towards the centre of the MS, just above the horizontal fold line. Two thin strips of tape were added to each side of the MS to allow it to be held in place within the frame.
Materiality Keywords:
Decorations:
Undecorated
Additions:
Three lines have been added to the verso side in a contemporary hand, itdentifying the author and subject of the poem as Voltaire and Leibniz respectively: ‘Ces vers sont de la main de Voltaire qui et les composa evant Mons. Soubeyran qui était chargé de faire graver le portrait de Leibnitz.’
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Inclusions:
Inclded with the MS is a portrait of Voltaire engraved by J. E. Hadid after Denon, and dating to 1779.
History
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