[Rarebooks] FS: 1831 Near-Miniature, Controversey about Oracles

[Joslin Hall Rare Books, ABAA]

Fontenelle, M. de [Bernard Le Bovier)  LA STORIA DEGLI ORACOLI. Opere del
Signor Bern. di Fontenelle.

Naples; R. Marotta e Vanspandoch: 1831.

A charming near-miniature printing of a work on oracles by the important
French writer and philosopher Bernard de Fontenelle (1657-1757).  Educated
at the Jesuit college of Rouen, a forerunner of Diderot and Voltaire,
Fontenelle was blocked in his first four attempts to enter the French
Academy by Racine and Boileau, before finally being elected in 1691.

This controversial book on oracles was first published in 1687. In it
Fontenelle declares in a pair of essays that oracles were not the
supernatural product of demons and that further, they did not end with the
birth of Jesus but rather continued into the early years of the Christian
church.  The Jesuits quickly published a rebuttal of these views of their
former student, to which Fontenelle did not respond.  This charming early
19th century edition includes a preface giving a history of the
controversy.

Hardcover.  2.25"x3.5", 304 pages.  Bound in period quarter calf with gilt
spine rules and title, small gilt spine medallions.  Marbled boards.   A
very nice copy with just a little light rubbing to the covers, a little
minor browning and a few faint spots.  Old, faint ink inscription along
the gutter of the title page.  $150.00

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