The History of Philosophy, in Eight Parts
London: Humphrey Moseley and Thomas Dring, 1655; 1656. First edition. Hardcover. Folio. [10], 1-120, [2], 1-19, [3], 1-119, [1], [3], 2-46, [3], 2-159, [3], 1-120, [2], 1-37, [3], 1-142, [22] pp. Recent paneled calf with the spine in six compartments, decorations in blind, with a recent red morocco label lettered in gilt. With recent pastedowns, and with the original endpapers; all edges marbled. Each part with its own title page. Illustrated with a portrait of Thomas Stanley and with seventeen additional plates, portraits of the various philosophers discussed in the volume. Also with a few engraved tailpieces and initials. Graesse 478. Lowndes 2493. Oxford DNB, Warren Chernaik, "Stanley, Thomas (1625–1678)". Wing 5237-5238. A large and informative compendium. Stanley's volume includes excerpts of writings from Xenophon, Plato, Diogenes, records of Zeno and Socrates, writings from Chrissipus, and many other ancient philosophers. The volume is thoroughly illustrated, depicting some of these ancient figures in seventheenth-century dress, others are depicted in ancient costumes. Stanley's biographer argued that Stanley outshone his predecessors in the scope and detail included in his work on the history of philosophy. He examined Greek philosophy and its various schools in an impartial manner. This work would eventually become the first two volumes in Stanley's series on ancient philosophy, as he would later publish a third part in 1660, and then a fourth volume on Near Eastern philosophy two years after that. His work was recognized as the standard authority for many years, and was reprinted several times. Very Good+. Item #000010974
The binding is stunning; one title page with a contemporary name and one plate with a small repair to its margin. Leaves are largely clean with some areas of toning and a few leaves show small tears to their corners.
Price: $3,000.00