The Works of the Famous Nicolas Machiavel, Citizen and Secretary of Florence. Written Originally in Italian, and from thence newly and faithfully Translated into English
London: Printed for J.S., 1675.
The Works of the Famous Nicolas Machiavel, Citizen and Secretary of Florence. Written Originally in Italian, and from thence newly and faithfully Translated into English
London: Printed for J.S., 1675. First English language edition. Four parts in one. Quarto (323 mm x 195 mm). Collates [40], 177, 188-189, [5], 199-262, 265-267,[5], 267-314, 317-431, [6], 434-529, [1, blank], [5, catalog], 1[1, blank] pp. With numerous pagination errors but collates complete and the same as the British Library copy. The preliminary pages include a four page Preface to the Reader, eleven pages of Nicolas Machivel's Letter to Zanobius Buondelmontius in Vindication of Himself and His Writings, and a five page Catalogue of Books is found at the end. The four parts include separate title-ages, but with continuous pagination (with some printer's errors): The History of Florence, The Prince, The Discourses, and The Art of War, in Seven Books; also includes Machiavelli's other prose miscellany, The Marriage of Belphegor, with no separate title-page. Contemporary mottled calf. Spines stamped in gilt. With red morocco spine label, lettered in gilt. Board edges tooled in gilt. All edges marbled. Invisible repairs to hinges and head and tail of the spine. A paper flaw wrinkle to leaf Mm2, not affecting text. A small tear to upper outer corner of leaf hhh2, not affecting text. Overall a very good, fresh and tall copy of this scarce title in a wonderful contemporary binding.
Machiavelli's political writings profoundly influenced major political theorists working on the foundations of modern nation-states, from Francis Bacon to Baruch Spinoza, from Thomas Hobbes to Adam Smith, from John Locke to John Adams. Publishers and printers played a key role in disseminating Machiavelli's ideas throughout trade networks, enabling the widespread impact that his ideas would end up having for the next several hundred years. This present edition, translated into English by Henry Neville, is an example of how book agents and translators ensured the spread of Machiavelli's writings. Neville's translation is admired for its clarity and accuracy.
Wing M128A. ESTC R180243. Very Good (Item #3027)
