Opuscula posthuma, physica et mathematica - photo 1
Opuscula posthuma, physica et mathematica - photo 2
Opuscula posthuma, physica et mathematica - photo 3
Opuscula posthuma, physica et mathematica - photo 4

Opuscula posthuma, physica et mathematica

Lot 15
02.02.2024 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Starting price
$ 2 800
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 1129633
Lot 15 | Opuscula posthuma, physica et mathematica
Estimate value
$ 3 000 – 5 000
DESCARTES, René (1596-1650). Opuscula posthuma, physica et mathematica. Amsterdam: P. & J. Blaeu, 1701.

First edition of a collection of posthumously published tracts, including the first printing of Descartes’ Regulae ad directionem ingenii, his first writing on the “method of doubt” and the precursor of the Discours.

His “first substantial work was the never-completed treatise Regulae ad directionem ingenii (‘Rules for the direction of the mind’), which was written in 1628 or 1629 but was not printed until 1701. The Regulae reveals that Descartes was already preoccupied with method as the clue to scientific advance – a method of basically mathematical inspiration, though it is intended to be the method of rational inquiry into any subject matter whatsoever. This concern with method appears in the Regulae in a form that is both more detailed and less metaphysically committed than the form that appears in Descartes’ later philosophical works” (Bernard Williams in Encyclopedia of philosophy).

The other tracts in the Opuscula are: I. Mundus, sive dissertatio de lumine, the first Latin edition of Le monde, in a textually more accurate form than the French edition published in 1664. Written shortly after 1630, Descartes withdrew this work from publication as a result of the condemnation of Galileo. II. & III. De mechanica tractatus una cum elucidationibus N. Poissonii, first edition of Descartes' original Latin text, with commentary by Nicolas Poisson. IV. Primae cogitationes circa generationem animalium, Descartes’ treatise on embryology. V. Excerpta ex mss., comprising various mathematical writings.

The contemporary owner of this volume was M. Bellanger, Treasurer General of the Seal. His substantial library was auctioned in the year of his death and numbered almost 4,000 lots, including a number by Descartes, although this Opuscula does not appear. The catalogue introduction describes the majority of the bindings as in morocco or gilt calf, the work of Royal Binder Boyer. Guibert p.221.

Quarto (201 x 150mm). Numerous woodcut diagrams and illustrations, woodcut printer’s device on title, headpieces, and initials. Contemporary sprinkled calf, gilt Bellanger arms [Oliver 1867] on sides, gilt spine with red morocco spine label lettered in gilt, red edges (light wear at extremities, upper hinge splitting). Provenance: M. Bellanger, Treasurer General of the Seal (d.1740; binding).
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
Preview
26.01.2024 10:00 – 17:00
27.01.2024 10:00 – 17:00
28.01.2024 13:00 – 17:00
29.01.2024 10:00 – 17:00
30.01.2024 10:00 – 17:00
31.01.2024 10:00 – 17:00
Phone +1 212 636 2000
Fax +1 212 636 4930
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Shipping Postal service
Courier service
pickup by yourself
Payment methods Wire Transfer
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 09:30 – 17:00   
Tu 09:30 – 17:00   
We 09:30 – 17:00   
Th 09:30 – 17:00   
Fr 09:30 – 17:00   
Sa closed
Su closed

More from Creator

DESCARTES, Rene (1596-1650) - Principia Philosophiae. Editio quarta. LEGATO CON: - Specimina philosophiae seu Dissertatio de methodo. Amsterdam: s.e., 1664. 
DESCARTES, Rene (1596-1650) - Principia Philosophiae. Editio quarta. LEGATO CON: - Specimina philosophiae seu Dissertatio de methodo. Amsterdam: s.e., 1664. 
€280
Descartes,R.
Descartes,R.
€200
DESCARTES, René (1596-1650)
DESCARTES, René (1596-1650)
£600
Descartes,R.
Descartes,R.
€750
DESCARTES, René (1596-1650) - Les principes de la philosophie. Paris: Henry le Gras, 1647-1651. 
DESCARTES, René (1596-1650) - Les principes de la philosophie. Paris: Henry le Gras, 1647-1651. 
€180
Descartes,R.
Descartes,R.
€400
Descartes,R.
Descartes,R.
€2 000
DESCARTES, René (1596-1650)
DESCARTES, René (1596-1650)
£70 000

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.
?>