A Treatise on Government. Translated From the Greek of Aristotle
London: T. Payne, B. White, and T. Cadell, 1776.
First English edition and the first edition in the English language; translated by William Ellis directly from the Greek. Fireside poet James Russell Lowell's copy, inscribed to him by his friend, American transcendentalist writer and artist C.P. Cranch. Quarto. 8.75 x 11 in. 428 + [12 index] pp. Bound in somewhat recent full calf with four raised bands and red leather spine labels titled in gilt. Browning to title page, first blank is reinforced at edges and title page is re-margined. A touch of soiling and staining to preliminary pages and page edges, sporadic foxing and light toning throughout, with several light pencil ticks in the margins. This was the only English edition of Aristotle's Treatise on Government from the 18th-century. A copy of this very text was owned by Thomas Jefferson and was influential among the founding fathers of the United States of America. A lovely copy of a scarce and important book.
Price: $17,500.00