RESTIF DE LA BRETONNE Nicolas Edme La Découverte australe Par un Homme-volant, ou le Dédale français; Nouvelle très-philosophique: suivie de la Lettre d’un Singe, &ca.

Rives Childs, XXIII, 2; BnF, Utopie, 107.

First edition of one of the most singular works by Restif de la Bretonne at the same time a utopia and a precursor of aerial navigation.

In order to fully live with his beloved Christine, its hero Victorin succeeds to run away from home with the aid of his new invention : a flying-machine. By doing so, this imaginary tale actually precedes the first successful elevation demonstrated by the brothers Montgolfiere on 4 June 1783. Victorin arrives at the 'Inaccessible Mountain' (Le Mont Inaccessible) where he lives a happy life with his beloved and procreates a large family. After 20 years the hero decides to find new land where he can create his own kingdom. Again, he makes good use of his flying device which transports him to an unknown universe (monde austral), animated by strange creatures. He there founds his new, utopian society.

Restif associates literally reality, fiction, science fiction and discoveries. This copy in second issue with Lettre d'un Singe (v. III), the 3 page Avis de l'Éditeur (instead of 5) as pages 16 and 17 had been suppressed. The Séance chés une Amatrice (v. IV, p. 325) is present in one 1 page 1/2, etc.

Fine illustrations by Binet

The fine, almost surreal, engraving are by Binet, Restif's most cherished artist and engraver. The half-title to volume I states: Oeuvres posthumes De N. *******. Oeuvre S.de, La Découverte australe, ou les Antipodes: Avec une Estampe à chaque Fait principal. 1781. Volume IV with Notes sur la Lettre d'un Singe, the Dissertation sur les Hommes-brutes and Séance chés une Amatrice.

Fine copy, beautifully bound by Chambolle-Duru and complete with all its 23 engravings. From the library of Jean Bonna with his bookpate.