Les principes de la philosophie. Ecrits en Latin, par Rene' Descartes. Et traduits en français par un de ses amis.

Rare illustrated 17th-century reimpression of Abbé Claude Picot's French translation of the Principia Philosophiæ, first published in Amsterdam in 1644. Ownership inscription in black ink on the title page signed "C.J. Bidey Sacerdotis de Dola in utroque lege Licentiam," likely a priest from Dole in the Jura, and a gift inscription in brown ink by "L.F. de Moriat."

Contemporary binding in full glazed and speckled brown calf, spine with five raised bands decorated with four richly gilt compartments, red morocco lettering piece, gilt roll on board edges, slightly worn, red speckled edges.

Early restorations to headcaps and joints, two small wormholes to spine, light surface wear and minor staining to boards, corners bumped.

Two marginal tears, not affecting text, to pp. 209, 401, and 483, and a minute hole to p. 371. Nine manuscript lines in brown ink on p. 4, possibly in the same hand as the author of the gift inscription.

The work is illustrated with several engravings, including a plate facing p. 119.

In the first half of the 17th century, Abbé Claude Picot distinguished himself, according to Philippe-Jean Quillien, as the "prince of libertines and atheists," alongside other ardent freethinkers such as Des Barreaux. Despite these Epicurean leanings, Picot became the close friend of René Descartes, a devout Christian. Upon the publication of the Principia Philosophiæ, the cleric undertook the French translation, which he completed working alongside the great philosopher at his Dutch residence in Egmond aan den Hoef.

A fine 17th-century copy of Les principes de la philosophie by René Descartes, translated into French by one of his closest confidants, Abbé Claude Picot, who was, to quote Quillien, "more concerned with physics than metaphysics."