DESCARTES, René. Discours de la méthode pour bien conduire sa raison. Plus la dioptrique, les météores et la géométrie qui sont des essais de cette Méthode.
Leiden, Ian Maire, 1637
Extremely rare first edition. Guibert: “Cette edition est devenue tres rare et tres recherches des sbibliophiles”. A cornerstone of rationalism, this seminal work by Descartes marks the advent of modern Western thought. Unlike most of his other works, written and published in Latin, Descartes, recognizing the importance and necessity of his essay, wrote and published the Discourse directly in French, determined to ensure its understanding and reading by all.
The 1637 Maire edition is therefore an authentic original and bears its initial title, which would be modified in subsequent editions.
"The Discourse on the Method" is followed by three important scientific works, "Dioptrique," "Geometry," and "The Meteors," with numerous woodcut illustrations.
Dibner: “The Dioptrique contains the earliest statement of Willebrord Snell's law of refraction.”
The text is richly illustrated with 161 black-and-white engraved figures, including seven full-page illustrations: diagrams, astronomical figures and phenomena, scientific machines and instruments, calculations, and perspective effects.
The final, unnumbered pages contain: Tables for the Dioptrique (12 pages), Meterores (14 pages), Geometries (4 pages), one for Errata, two for the French and Dutch Privileges, and one blank.
Guibert, n. 1, pp. 14-16; Tchemerzine, II, 776 ; PMM, 129 ; Horblit, One hundred book famous in science, 24; En Français dans le texte n°90; Dibner, Heralds, 81; Norman Library, 621.
In 4to. Binding in quarter leather and cardboard covered with multicolored marbled paper, with titles and volume numbers on the smooth spine. Pages 73, [2], 413, [1], [34]. Numerous illustrations in the text. On the title page, a manuscript ex libris 'Auville'. Slight traces of wear on the binding, damp stains, a good copy.