![[LOCKE, John (1632-1704)]. An Essay concerning Humane Understanding. In four books. London: [Elizabeth Holt] for Thomas Basset, and sold by Edw[ard] Mory, 1690.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2012/NYR/2012_NYR_02607_0209_000(locke_john_an_essay_concerning_humane_understanding_in_four_books_lond085705).jpg?w=1)
Details
[LOCKE, John (1632-1704)]. An Essay concerning Humane Understanding. In four books. London: [Elizabeth Holt] for Thomas Basset, and sold by Edw[ard] Mory, 1690.
2o in 4s (321 x 187 mm). Title within printed double-ruled border. (Some light spotting and soiling, small holes on 2D3, 2G1, 2M4 and 2R3 slightly affecting text, short tear on U3, small portions of upper corners missing on 2F3 and 2Ys.) Contemporary English blind-ruled calf, raised bands (rubbed); cloth folding case. Provenance: Thomas Willoughby, probably Sir Thomas Willoughby, later baron Middleton, son on the ornithologist Francis Willoughby who was one of the founding members of the Royal Society. Locke was elected to the Society in 1668 and served on committees and the council, making it likely he knew Willoughby (signature on title "T. Willughby"); Paul Francis Webster (bookplate; his sale Sotheby's New York, 24 April 1985, lot 56); Haven O'More (bookplate; sold Sotheby's New York, the Garden Collection, 9-10 November 1989, lot 124).
THE WEBSTER-GARDEN COPY
FIRST EDITION, second issue with cancel title, typographical alterations by the printers on A3 and A4. of the work forming the basis of 18th-century empirical philosophy. Although begun as early as 1671, it was finally brought to order during the years that Locke spent as an exile in Holland (January 1684-February 1688), in the company of a distinguished literary circle. In Book I he rejected the doctrine of "innate idea", maintaining that all knowledge was based on experience. Few philosophical works received such immediate and lasting recognition, leading John Stuart Mill to describe Locke as "the unquestioned founder of the analytic philosophy of mind." Grolier Wither to Prior 527; Pforzheimer 600; Plomer 160; PMM 164; Wing L-2738.
2o in 4s (321 x 187 mm). Title within printed double-ruled border. (Some light spotting and soiling, small holes on 2D3, 2G1, 2M4 and 2R3 slightly affecting text, short tear on U3, small portions of upper corners missing on 2F3 and 2Ys.) Contemporary English blind-ruled calf, raised bands (rubbed); cloth folding case. Provenance: Thomas Willoughby, probably Sir Thomas Willoughby, later baron Middleton, son on the ornithologist Francis Willoughby who was one of the founding members of the Royal Society. Locke was elected to the Society in 1668 and served on committees and the council, making it likely he knew Willoughby (signature on title "T. Willughby"); Paul Francis Webster (bookplate; his sale Sotheby's New York, 24 April 1985, lot 56); Haven O'More (bookplate; sold Sotheby's New York, the Garden Collection, 9-10 November 1989, lot 124).
THE WEBSTER-GARDEN COPY
FIRST EDITION, second issue with cancel title, typographical alterations by the printers on A3 and A4. of the work forming the basis of 18th-century empirical philosophy. Although begun as early as 1671, it was finally brought to order during the years that Locke spent as an exile in Holland (January 1684-February 1688), in the company of a distinguished literary circle. In Book I he rejected the doctrine of "innate idea", maintaining that all knowledge was based on experience. Few philosophical works received such immediate and lasting recognition, leading John Stuart Mill to describe Locke as "the unquestioned founder of the analytic philosophy of mind." Grolier Wither to Prior 527; Pforzheimer 600; Plomer 160; PMM 164; Wing L-2738.
Sale room notice
Please note this has the first issue title, with the Elizabeth Holt imprint.