- 81
Descartes, René
Estimate
4,000 - 6,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- Descartes, René
- Principia philosophiae. Amsterdam: for Louis Elzevier, 1644
- paper
4to (8 x 6 in.; 203 x 152 mm). Woodcut printer's device on title, woodcut text illustrations and ornamental initials; marginal soiling on title and preliminaries, tiny stain in upper edge of a few central quires, small worm track at fore-edge in a few central quires mended with tissue. Contemporary mottled calf, spine gilt; rebacked with greater portion of backstrip laid down, edges rubbed.
Bound with a fragment of his: Meditationes de prima philosophia. Amsterdam: Jan Blaeu, 1644. Woodcut printer's device on title and ornamental initials; 48 pages only, lacking the following 8 ff., 319, [1] pp.
Bound with a fragment of his: Meditationes de prima philosophia. Amsterdam: Jan Blaeu, 1644. Woodcut printer's device on title and ornamental initials; 48 pages only, lacking the following 8 ff., 319, [1] pp.
Provenance
[Johann Friedrich] Goldhagen (inscription on front flyleaf dated 1760 recording it as a gift from Professor Hoppe)
Literature
Guibert, p. 118; Tchemerzine II, p. 787; Norman 622; Willems 1008; —Guibert, pp. 45-46
Condition
marginal soiling on title and preliminaries, tiny stain in upper edge of a few central quires, small worm track at fore-edge in a few central quires mended with tissue. Contemporary mottled calf, spine gilt; rebacked with greater portion of backstrip laid down, edges rubbed; lacking the greater portion of the second title.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
First edition. Descartes' system of physics developing his theory of vortices, which was the starting point for all serious work in physical theory in the mid-17th century, including Newton. The fourth and final part of the work contains the first scientific theory of magnetism.