Leviathan, or the Matter, Forme, & Power of a Common-Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civill. By Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury. London: Printed for Andrew Crooke, 1651, folio.
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FIRST EDITION FIRST ISSUE of Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan, an excellent copy, complete save for the engraved title leaf, preserved in its original boards and housed in an attractive bespoke case.
This, the first issue, is commonly known as the 'Head' edition with a head with scrolls and tassels on the title page. The other issues, much more commonly encountered, are the ‘Bear’ (2nd) and ‘Ornaments’ (3rd) editions which were long thought to be Continental piracies (now disproven), but those were likely printed decades later, with USTC suggesting 1678 and 1680, respectively, for those editions despite their 1651 date on their title pages. This first issue is scarce in commerce, and remains one of the most significant and influential works in the history of politics and philosophy.
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Size: 195 x 285 mm (approx.)*
*of the book itself, not the case; case is 225 x 320 mm
Condition:
[(2), A-Z4, 2A-2Z4, 3A-3D4, (2)]
Contemporary English full calf boards, almost certainly original. Finely rebacked with a new tooled label and date tooled in gilt at the foot. Both boards are securely attached and the binding is secure. Minor rubbing, a few mild stains as pictured, but generally an excellent copy.
Lacks the engraved title leaf else collates as complete, blanks are contemporary with the rebacking. Foldout letterpress table present and in excellent condition, bound after F3. Winged head ornament on title page as commensurate with the first issue. Leaf A4 in state B (probably no priority). Some creasing to leaves before F3 due to the foldout table, as usual. Scattered spotting, mildly toned, but generally bright and clean throughout - internally excellent.
A beautiful copy of one of the most important books in the history of political philosophy.
[Wing (2nd ed.) H2246; Pforzheimer 491; ESTC R17253; USTC 3065659].
Macdonald and Hargreaves (Thomas Hobbes, A Bibliography, 42).
