SPINOZA, Benedict.

Renati Des Cartes Principiorum Philosophiæ + Tractatus Theologico-Politicus + Opera Posthuma.

Amsterdam: Jan Rieuwertsz, 1663, 1670, 1677. FIRST EDITIONS FIRST EDITIONS OF SPINOZA'S THREE WORKSIN ONE VOLUME. Renati Des Cartes Principiorum Philosophiæ Pars I, & II, More Geometrico demonstratæ… Accesserunt Ejusdem Cogitata Metaphysica, Johannem Riewerts, Amstelodami [Amsterdam], 1663. 1 blank leaf + TP + 4 leaves = Præfatio + 3 leaves = Index + 1-140, small Quarto. First Edition. (Kingma-Offenberg 1) [bound with] An Engraved Portrait of Spinoza (the one commonly claimed to belong in some editions of the Opera Posthuma) [bound with] Tractatus Theologico-Politicus Continens Differtationes aliquot, Henricum Künrath [Jan Rieuwertsz], Hamburgi [Amsterdam], 1670. TP + 4 leaves = Præfatio + 1 leaf = Index Capitum + 1-233, small Quarto. First Edition, Fifth Issue (?). (Kingma-Offenberg 7) [bound with] Opera Posthuma, Quorum series post Præfationem exhibetur., [Jan Rieuwertsz], [Amsterdam], 1677. TP + 18 leaves = Præfatio + half title + [1]-614 + 16 leaves = Index Rerum + half title + 1-112 + 4 leaves = Indiculus & Errata, small Quarto (8" x 6"). First Edition. (Kingma-Offenberg 24) A SINGLE VOLUME CONTAINING FIRST EDITIONS OF ALL OF THE WORKS THAT SPINOZA PUBLISHED IN HIS LIFETIME. The first book (Renati Des Cartes) is the only one to carry his name as author - the other two being published with no author listed. The second work (Tractatus) lists a false publisher and place of printing while the third (Opera) leaves out any mention of either of these items altogether. All this secrecy and subterfuge was driven by the intense religious and political climate in Holland during Spinoza's lifetime, by the charges of atheism leveled against him, by his expulsion from the Jewish temple and by his intensely felt desire to avoid being drawn into any public controversy. The manuscript for the Opera - which he had been reluctant to publish for fear that it would provoke further accusations of atheism - was delivered to his publisher on the day of his death. Bound in contemporary vellum, which is in remarkable shape for its age but a bit scuffed and soiled as would be expected. There is a trimmed and folded portrait of Descartes in mezzotint by Pet. Schenk of Amsterdam glued onto the verso of the front free end paper. WITH NUMEROUS CONTEMPORARY HANDWRITTEN ANNOTATIONS, INCLUDING CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS TO THE CONTENT, WHICH ARE NOT RECORDED ON THE ERRATA LIST - for instance, the editor Jelles is mentioned; the recipient of the letter on p. 465 is identified as Lud. Meyer, on p. 531 as Jerrig Jelles; and on p. 541 as Lamburtus de Velthuysen; with several letters dated exactly, etc. With traces of damp at the beginning, some other parts with light dampstains and faint browning. Overall, an excellent contemporary copy. PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

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• ordernr.: 55

• bookseller: Athena Rare Books (USA)