Thomas Steavens (c.1718–1759) A collection of six contempora...

Thomas Steavens (c.1718–1759) A collection of six contemporary Italian, Latin and French literary manuscripts illustrating the political, social and intellectual culture of Enlightenment Europe. A rare manuscript anthology of Italian political sonnets celebrating and satirising the principal figures and events of mid-eighteenth-century Europe. Manuscript in Italian, black ink on laid paper, quarto, comprising five bifolia, pp. 20 with two blank pages to the rear, written recto and verso throughout in a neat contemporary cursive hand, each sonnet opening beneath a calligraphic title. Contemporary folds, generally in very good condition with occasional light foxing and minor staining, retaining broad margins, Rome, c.1748–1750. Including: A Carlo Sesto Imperatore; Attorno d'un Dente Tedesco; Sortita in Senna, 1748; Per la morte dell'Invittissimo Generale Berenclao all'Italia; In risposta; Contro li Geniali sopra la Guerra; and Al presente Sistema d'Europa in Guerra. 25 Agosto 1748. &c. &c. Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet, attributed). Les deux Tonneaux. Épître de Monsieur de Voltaire au Roy de Prusse. (The Two Barrels. An Epistle from Monsieur Voltaire to the King of Prussia.) Manuscript in French, single bifolium, pp. 3 with final page blank, neatly copied in a contemporary hand. A contemporary manuscript copy of a satirical philosophical poem attributed to Voltaire, addressed to Frederick the Great and treating themes of monarchy, religion and human nature. Original folds, generally in very good condition, c.1750. (Fashion and Manners) Regola della Moda (The Rules of Fashion). Manuscript in Italian, single bifolium, pp. 3 with final page blank, black ink on laid paper, written in a neat contemporary hand and arranged as a numbered series of seventeen satirical precepts beneath the title Regola della Moda. Generally in very good condition with contemporary folds, loss to the final page not affecting the text, occasional light spotting, otherwise clean and well preserved, c.1748–1750. Together with three other contemporary manuscript works, one being in Latin. (6)

Estimate:£200

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