L'Eloge de la Folie

Erasmus (Desiderius, of Rotterdam):

L'Eloge de la Folie (In Praise of Folly) … traduit par Mr. Gueudeville.

Amsterdam: Francois L'Honore, 1731.

Engraved frontispiece (partially wrinkled and detached), also portrait with Erasmus, Sir Thomas More, and Hans Holbein, six folding plates and 75 text engravings. These are the same copperplates as used in the first "counterfeit" edition of 1713/1714.

Tall 12mo, [xxiv] 234 pp. + [xvii] index; vintage mottled calf, gilt-titled label on spine.

In 1509 Erasmus composed his famous essay as a satirical attack on superstitions and other unconventional traditions in European society. Since its inception it has been considered one of the most important works of the Renaissance and helped develop early stages of the Protestant Reformation. Erasmus uses satire to examine doctrine and corruption within the Catholic Church, even though he was devoted deeply to Catholicism. He concludes with statements supporting Christian Protestantism and frequently references Greek mythological creatures and figures. Early printing of this popular translation from Latin into French.