BACON (Francis).

Francisci Baconi, Baronis de Verulamio, Vice-comitis Sancti Albani, Operum Moralium et civilium [...] Guilielmi Rawley [...]. London, Edward Griffin, Richard Whitaker, 1638. [8] ff. (title, dedication and Lectori, by G. Rawley), [1] blank f., [6]-386 pp. ; [16]-475 pp., [1] bl., very fine engraved portrait of Bacon. Contains: Historium Regni Henrici Septimi, Regis Angliae; Sermones Fideles, sine Interiora rerum; Tractatum de Sapienta Veterum; Dialogum de Bello Sacro; Novum Atlandidem; Tractatus de Augmentis Scientiarum; Historia Ventorum; Historia Vitae et Mortis. ORIGINAL FIRST EDITION of the first edition of Bacon's works in Latin. Francis Bacon is considered by Freemasons to be one of the first founders of the Order, whose plan and role he is said to have outlined in his "Novum Atlantidem" (Caillet, 616). Bound at the end: INSTAURATIO MAGNA [Novum Organum pars secunda]. London, John Bill, 1620. Very fine engraved title (with ship sailing between the columns of Hercules), [7] pp., [3 bl.], contains the "Novum Organum", 360 pp. and "Parasceve ad historiam naturalem et experimentalem", 37-[1] pp. historiated initials, woodcuts of 10 or 8 lines; this copy conforms to that in the British Library (System number 000 104 378), with, at the end of the work, the last leaf e3 cancelled and replaced by a leaf including the errata. ORIGINAL EDITION of great rarity of Francis Bacon's major text, which completely revolutionized the philosophy of science, moving from Aristotelian science into modern science. The treatise "Parasceve ad historiam naturalem et experimentalem" will not be reprinted in Bacon's early editions (Caillet, 613). Three volumes (two for "Operum") bound in an in-folio volume; tan calf, ornate ribbed spine, double gilt fillet framing the boards (period binding). Beautiful 17th-century binding, worn (one split jaw with leather loss at head, torn headpieces, worn corners and a few scuffs and rubs) but solid; very good condition inside.