“THE MOST WORTHY OF THE GREAT PHILOSOPHERS”: 1714 FIRST EDITION OF LOCKE’S COLLECTED WORKS

LOCKE, John. The Works of John Locke. London: John Churchill and Sam. Manship, 1714. Three volumes. Folio (8-1/2 by 12-1/2 inches), contemporary full paneled calf rebacked and recornered, raised bands, burgundy morocco spine labels. $11,800.

First edition of the collected works of Locke, “the most worthy… of the indisputably great philosophers,” with exquisite copper-engraved frontispiece portrait by George Vertue and full-page memorial plate, scarce in contemporary paneled calf.

"Locke is the most worthy… of the indisputably great philosophers. His influence has been enormous." Published ten years after Locke's death, this is the first collected edition of his work and includes his immensely important Two Treatises of Government, "the basis of the principles of democracy," as well as the letters on "Toleration" and The Reasonableness of Christianity. Also included is the groundbreaking Essay Concerning Humane Understanding, "the first modern attempt" to analyze human knowledge (PMM 193, 194). Text embellished with woodcut-engraved historiated initials, head- and tailpieces. Occasional mispagination as issued without loss of text. Yolton 363. Attig 848. Christophersen, 87-88. Armorial bookplate; early owner signature.

Some faint marginal dampstaining in Volume I; text generally quite clean and bright. A nicely restored set, desirable in contemporary calf covers.