Les principes de la philosophie [...].

4to: [62]-420 [= 486]-[1] pp. (some toning and spotting, a few contemp. marg. annotations).

Contemp. limp vellum, flat spine titled in ink (loosening at front joint, a few stains). Good copy.

2nd ed. (1st Paris 1647) of the French trsl. of Descartes’ "Principia philosophiae" (1644) by Claude Picot, a bon vivant known as "the Atheist Priest" (d. 1668), with whom Descartes left his financial affairs in France. The "Principles of Philosophy" was the only complete version of Descartes’ natural philosophy published in his lifetime and the 1st published work in which he presents and defends his vortex theory, the core of his heliocentric model of the universe. Engr. front. and 20 numbered fold-out plates (bound at the end).
Ref. Guibert 5. - Not in Goldsmith (BL).