Boyer - Lettres Cabalistiques - 1741

SECRETS AND CABALA IN THE RATIONALIST HEART OF THE AGE OF LIGHTS
The cabbalistic Letters, published in The Hague in 1741 by Pierre Paupie, constitute one of the most representative works of the critical and caustic thought of the Marquis d’Argens, a central figure of European libertine Enlightenment. Through the epistolary form and the pretext of a “cabalistic” correspondence, the author develops a philosophical, historical, and religious reflection that unmasks superstitions, dogmas, and hypocrisies, presenting itself as the direct heir of the Lettres persanes and a precursor of radical rationalist critique. The work presents itself as a true intellectual laboratory of the eighteenth century, in which irony, erudition, and anti-authoritarian spirit coexist in an effective balance of literary power.
Printed outside the French borders to circumvent censorship, the cabbalistic Letters enjoyed wide and fragmentary circulation, with numerous reissues and forgeries throughout the eighteenth century.
MARKET VALUE
On the international antique market, the original 1741 The Hague edition, when found in multi-volume sets and in contemporary bindings, generally commands prices between €1,500 and €1,800 per complete copy.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AND CONDITION
Contemporary full russet calfskin binding, spine with raised bands and red leather labels, gilt titles. Sprinkled edges. Five volumes out of six. Frontispiece portrait of the Marquis d’Argens and one plate in Volume I. Volume V missing. Pages with some foxing and stains. In old books with a long history, some imperfections may be present, not always noted in the description. Pp. (2); 38]n; 374; (4). (2); 16]n; 392; (2). (2); 10]n; 394; (2). (2); 16]n; 344; (2). (2); 2]n; 244; 90]n; (4).

FULL TITLE AND AUTHOR
Lettres cabalistiques, ou correspondance philosophique, historique & critique.
The Hague, At Pierre Paupie, 1741.
Jean-Baptiste de Boyer.

CONTEXT AND SIGNIFICANCE
The Lettres cabalistiques represent one of the boldest texts of eighteenth-century clandestine philosophical literature. Behind the mask of cabalism and oriental erudition, d’Argens builds a systematic critique of revealed religions, ecclesiastical institutions, and the mechanisms of European cultural power. The work achieved wide diffusion and was often read, discussed, and censored, becoming a benchmark for learned libertinism and for the underground circulation of Enlightenment ideas.

BIOGRAPHY OF THE AUTHOR
Jean-Baptiste de Boyer, marquis d’Argens, was born in Aix-en-Provence in 1704 and died in 1771. A writer, philosopher, and polemicist, he was the author of numerous works of religious and philosophical critique. He spent part of his life at the court of Frederick II of Prussia, where he was one of the freest and most provocative voices of European Enlightenment.

PRINTING HISTORY AND CIRCULATION
The Hague edition of 1741, printed by Pierre Paupie, belongs to Dutch publishing production aimed at the diffusion of philosophically banned or controversial texts. Printed outside the borders of France to circumvent censorship, the Lettres cabalistiques enjoyed wide and fragmentary circulation, with numerous reissues and forgeries throughout the eighteenth century.

BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES
ICCU/OPAC SBN and major international bibliographic catalogs for the La Haye edition, Pierre Paupie, 1741. Barbier, Dictionnaire des ouvrages anonymes. Brunet, Manuel du libraire et de l’amateur de livres. Wade, The clandestine organization and diffusion of philosophical ideas in France from 1700 to 1750. Studies on Jean-Baptiste de Boyer, marquis d’Argens.