Beschreibung:

Bacon (Francis). Instauratio Magna [Novum Organum], 1st edition, 2nd issue, London: [Bill Norton and] John Bill 1620, engraved title after Simon van de Passe, second issue with e3 cancelled (as usual) and e4r adding errata and omitting the name of Bill Norton from the colophon, initial blank (Pi1) bound before A1, woodcut headpieces and historiated initials, a few leaves with small blank paper loss to outer top and bottom corners, bound with an incomplete copy of Bacon's Baronis de Verulamio (1638) bound before and after the Instauratio Magna, late 17th-century/early 18th-century engraved armorial bookplate of R. L. B. D. F. to front pastedown, with contemporary ownership inscription in Latin in brown ink of 'Juliani le Tac Rothomagensis' to head of front pastedown, with a further accompanying neat ownership to head of title of the second work (Baronis de Verulamio, also with small library stamp), contemporary full calf, gilt double-rule border to covers, spine separated into 7 compartments by thick raised bands, 6 compartments with gilt motif incorporated by double-rule border, some wear with tailcap showing, head of upper joint with small split, thick small 4to (leaf size 29.5 x 17.5 cm) (Quantity: 1) Gibson 103b; Grolier / Horblit 8B; Pforzheimer pp. XIX-XXI; PMM 119; STC 1163. First edition of one the most important works of the 17th century, an unsophisticated copy in an unrestored contemporary binding. A 'landmark in the advancement of human learning' (Pforzheimer). 'Bacon conceived a massive plan for the reorganisation of scientific method and gave purposeful thought to the relation of science to public and social life' and 'his insistence on making science experimental and factual, rather than speculative and philosophical, had powerful consequences' (PMM).