Leviathan, or the Matter, Forme, & Power of a Common-Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civill

Thomas Hobbes

Published by Andrew Crooke, 1651

About this Item

A true first edition (the "Head" edition), and likely an early pull from the press because of the boldness of the print.

Folio (278 x 183 mm) in fours, pp. [viii], 396; ornament of winged head on title page, with engraved title-page and folding printed table at ch. 9. Contemporary dark brown calf, boards ruled in blind, respined to style, with red morocco title label gilt, raised bands and compartments elaborately gilt. Engraved emblematic title-page. An excellent copy, minor marginal repair to fore edge of one leaf not affecting the text, very small loss to lower margin of another, professional repair to a third affecting the text but without loss. Some minor browning throughout with a little light staining more persistent toward the end, light early marginal notations - mostly corrections - on 16 pages. Rebacked preserving original pastedowns and front free endpaper, some crackling of the endleaves and creasing to the boards. With accompanying case. Withal an attractive and honest copy.

From the library of Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane, 10th earl of Dundonald, 1775-1860, with his bookplate on the front pastedown. Cochrane was a colleague of Admiral Lord Nelson in the Napoleonic wars, called by the French "Le loup de mer" (the Sea Wolf). He was the prototype of the role of Russell Crowe in the movie "Master and Commander." "The naval action in the Mediterranean is closely based on the real-life exploits of Lord Cochrane, including a battle modelled after Cochrane's spectacular victory in the brig HMS Speedy over the vastly superior Spanish frigate El Gamo." (Wikipedia: Master and Commander).

Provenance: Peter Harrington, Antiquarian Bookseller, London. Free shipping and insurance.

Seller Inventory # 146

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Leviathan, or the Matter, Forme, & Power of a Common-Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civill
• Publisher: Andrew Crooke
• Publication Date: 1651
• Language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket