DESCARTES (René): Discourse of the method to lead his reason well and to seek the truth in sciences... Paris, Angot, 1668. In-4 contemporary brown calf, spine ribbed and decorated, spotted edges. (binding skilfully restored, restoration of the backs of the quires, small wormholes in the margins of some leaves). 303 pages, 23 ff., 1 ff. and 127 pages (pages 105 to 112 misplaced). Third edition of the Discourse of the Method, original edition for Mechanics and original French edition for Music. The Discourse of the Method is illustrated with numerous figures in the text, the Mechanics has 33 woodcuts, the Music is decorated with musical staves and various woodcut drawings. A fine copy in a contemporary binding (Guibert, pp. 18-19).

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.