Kestenbaum & Company
Letters of Certain Jews to Monsieur Voltaire, containing an Apology for Their Own People and for the Old Testament.

Auction 84 · Lot 6

Letters of Certain Jews to Monsieur Voltaire, containing an Apology for Their Own People and for the Old Testament.

Estimate
$100–$150
Hammer price
$180

Historical auction record. Hammer prices exclude buyer’s premium and taxes.

author

(AMERICANA)

printer

E. Morgan & Co.

Place

Cincinnati

Publication

1845

Description

Second American edition, with corrections.

summary

The French Enlightenment thinker Voltaire (1694-1778) was well-known for his defense of free speech and his aversion to organized religion. Indeed, he wrote numerous searing criticisms of religion and the Bible and was consequently accused of anti-Semitism. This volume contains a collection of letters sent by contemporary Jews to Voltaire responding to his attacks. Though the collection’s purpose is to provide religious Americans (specifically Christians) with defenses against attacks from skeptics, the letters touch upon other Jewish topics as well.
pp. 612. Light foxing. Modern calf. 4to.
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