Epistolae,

London: Joh: Dunmore, & Octaviani Pulleyn; Amsterdam: Typographia Blaviani,, 1668 & 1683. The prime source for the philosopher's correspondence First edition in Latin of Descartes's correspondence, the first two parts printed in 1668 and here the London issues (the edition was split between London and Amsterdam issues with different title pages), the third part printed in Amsterdam in 1683 without variant issues. The three parts are rarely found together in a contemporary binding. The collection was first published in French between 1657 and 1667, edited by Descartes's literary executor Claude Clerselier, this Latin edition prepared by an unknown editor, but likely under Clerselier's instruction. The collection remains the prime source for the philosopher's correspondence. "Like most seventeenth-century intellectuals and scholars, Descartes entertained a correspondence, letters being in this period the main channel for the communication of scientific news... [Descartes's] letters serve by and large the same purpose as those of other philosophers and scientists of the period - to react to news and gossip, to discuss plans, to propose and solve problems, to deal with objections, and to discuss and communicate data" (Cambridge Descartes Lexicon, 2015). 3 parts in 1 vol., quarto (194 x 154 mm). With 14 folding copper plates, woodcut illustrations in text. Contemporary calf, manuscript title and fragmented paper label to spine, covers panelled in blind, red speckled edges. Light rubbing at extremities and slight splits at joint ends, small patch of abrasion at foot of front cover, title of first and third part a little toned, instances of soiling to a few pages else generally clean, first part with loss to bottom forecorner of L1 not affecting text, 9 cm closed to 2C2 affecting text without loss, instance of light worming to 2L2-2O3 occasionally touching text, third part with a few notations to title and 9 cm closed tear affecting text to *4. Very good. ESTC R3603; Guibert, p. 91, 93; Wing D1130.