Joannis Clerici Ars Critica, In Qua Ad Studia Linguarum Latinae, Graecae, & Hebraicae via munitur; Veterumque emendandorum, et Spuriorum Scriptorum à Genuinis dignoscendorum ratio traditur. Amsterdam: Georgium Gallet, 1697.
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First edition of this foundational work on textual criticism and philology by the Swiss theologian and scholar Jean Le Clerc (1657–1736). Written in Latin, Ars Critica is a systematic approach to the study of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages and provides methodologies for assessing the authenticity of ancient texts. This work was very influential in Enlightenment scholarship, showing the emphasis on reason and evidence in historical and textual studies of this period.
This copy is easily the greatest obtainable copy, in stunning early Cambridge panelled bindings having been kept in the same collection since near the time of printing, now fresh to the market since at least the 18th century.
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Size: 116 x 158 mm (approx., each)
Condition:
[(2), *2-8, *1, A1-Z8, 2A1-2T8, (2)]; [(2), A1-Z8, 2A1-2Z8, (2)]
Near contemporary full Cambridge panelled bindings, each retaining their tooled morocco labels. Bindings a little rubbed with minor losses to backstrip extremities, but generally very well preserved indeed. Bindings secure with all boards securely attached, joints starting at extremities but secure. Top edges uniformly dulled.
Collated as complete, including the original blanks. The first * gathering in volume one is complete, the *1 leaf (frontispiece) is just bound opposite A1 in this copy and hence the order of the collation provided above. Bookplate of Lord Sandys to front pastedown of both volumes and an associated pencil shelfmark inscription to ffep verso of both vols. Internally exceptionally clean throughout, endpapers toned, else remarkably clean and bright. The text is fully legible throughout without loss of sense. An excellent example of this very rare & important first edition, oft reprinted subsequently.
