First editions and antique editions of philosophical treatises, metaphysics, logic, ethics and critical thought from humanists to modern philosophers

First edition, one of 110 numbered copies on deluxe paper, our copy unnumbered, the only large-paper issue.

With a photographic portrait of Léon Blum as frontispiece.

Some scattered foxing, notably to the edges and endpapers; minor marginal tears to the covers, without significance.

An intriguing first edition, complete with its engraved frontispiece of the author by Giovanni Volpato after Domenico Corvi, and its introductory poem by the Abbé Luigi Godard. A copy unrecorded in non-European libraries according to WorldCat.

Contemporary binding of fawn mottled calf, smooth spine divided into five gilt compartments by gilt rolls, brown morocco lettering-piece, triple gilt fillet framing the boards, double gilt fillet on the board edges, blue speckled edges, and shell-pattern marbled pastedowns and endpapers.

The lower cap lacking, some surface w

First edition, printed in small numbers, of this offprint from the “Journal de la Société des Américanistes”. No deluxe issue printed. Skilful restauration to cover.

Rare presentation copy signed by Claude Lévi-Strauss to Simone de Beauvoir: “Cet humble aspect de la malédiction féminine, en amical hommage de Claude Lévi-Strauss” (“this humble aspect of the feminine curse, in friendly homage”) on the upper cover. This fieldwork study of the Nambikwara from Lévi-Strauss’ 1938 ethnographic expedition directly influenced Beauvoir, who

First edition, with no copies printed on deluxe paper.

A very good copy.

Inscribed by Maurice Druon to a friend named Henri: "... pour les souvenirs d'une année de travail qui devint une année d'amitié."

First edition, one of 170 numbered copies on deluxe paper.

Fine copy preserved in its double wrapper.

First edition of the French translation, one of 230 numbered copies on alfa paper.
With a preface by Romain Rolland.
A fine copy, the spine very slightly toned.

First edition, one of 45 numbered copies printed on Rajasthan jute paper, the only deluxe issue.

Manuscript signature of Emil Cioran at the colophon.

Spine very slightly faded, of no significance.

Rare and fine copy, complete with the three tantric paintings reproduced hors-texte in colour on cream paper.

First trade edition, partly original in its enlarged form.

A portion of the work had first appeared in 1832 in the Revue Encyclédique (May-June), and had been issued separately in a first offprint of 23 pages (cf. Cordier, Sinica, 1399-1340.)

Wrappers backed and restored, manuscript bookplate in the upper left corner of the title-page, a pleasing copy internally.

This is the Da Xue, the first of the Four Confucian Classics, first incorporated into the Li Ji (Book of Rites), then regarded from the Neo-Confucian revival of the Song period onward as a mirror for the Prince and likewise a mirror for subjects, centered on good government.

The Chinese characters were com

New edition of the French translation, this one by Abbé Pluquet (see Cordier, Sinica 1395-1396).

Contemporary half tan calf bindings over corners, smooth spines decorated with double gilt fillets, black calf title-pieces, some rubbing to spines and headcaps, marbled paper boards with some surface wear, a few corners slightly bumped, speckled edges, period bindings.

This French translation of Father François Noël’s Latin work includes the Observations on the moral and political philosophy of the Chinese legislators, The Great Learning, or the Science of Adults, The Doctrine of the Mean, The Book of Sentences, Meng Tsee or The Book of Mencius, Hiao-king, or The Book of Filial Pi

New edition published under the direction of Victor Cousin and illustrated with 45 folding plates at the end of the volumes.

Full polished calf bindings in light brown, spines evenly darkened with four raised bands ruled in gilt and decorated with double gilt panels, gilt rolls at head and tail, gilt friezes at the foot of the spines, a few heads of spines slightly trimmed, joints rubbed, black calf lettering and volume labels, gilt fillet and garland borders on the covers, upper boards gilt-stamped at centre with crowned laurel wreaths and the gilt inscription “académie de Paris - Prix du concours général”, moiré silk endpapers and pastedowns in white, all edges gilt, gilt fillets

First edition of the French translation.

Only two copies recorded in the CCF (BnF and Strasbourg).

Contemporary full mottled calf, smooth spine gilt in elaborate compartments with gilt floral tools, dark green morocco lettering-piece, gilt rolls at head and tail, triple gilt fillet border on covers, marbled endpapers and pastedowns, sprinkled edges, a period binding.

Restorations to the spine and joints, internally a pleasing copy.

Sole edition. This is a highly partial translation of Mosaisches Recht, published in Frankfurt between 1770 and 1775 in four quarto volumes (five parts).

The real author is not the hypothetical Senger named on the title-pa

First edition, with no copies printed on deluxe paper.

A pleasant copy.

On the half-title page, autograph inscription signed by Jean-Claude Carrière to the writer, essayist, and pianist Catherine David: "... qui m'ouvrît avec grâce la lourde porte du temps, je m'incline sur son passage avec amitié."

On the front endpaper, autograph inscription signed by Umberto Eco to the same recipient.

First edition, no copies on deluxe paper issued.

Half light brown morocco binding, flat spine with author stamped in gilt and title stamped in gilt lengthwise, gilt date at foot, brown stingray boards framed in morocco, brown suede endpapers and pastedowns, original covers and spine preserved, top edge gilt, elegant binding signed Thomas Boichot.

Manuscript ex-libris in black ink and a slight restoration to the upper right corner of the first endpaper.</

First edition, with no copies printed on deluxe paper.

A very good copy.

Precious signed autograph inscription from Jean-François Lyotard to Pierre Vidal-Naquet.

First and complete edition in 7 issues of this review founded and directed by Emmanuel Berl and Pierre Drieu la Rochelle, one of the rare copies on Madagascar paper of which no mention is made.

Bound in half red morocco-grained shagreen with corners, spine with five raised bands set with black fillets, some very light traces of rubbing on spine, date and place gilt at foot, marbled paper boards, endpapers and pastedowns of moiré-effect and gilt paper, top edge gilt, contemporary binding signed by Lagadec, elected best craftsman of France in 1927.

Manuscript signature of Emmanuel Berl at

First edition on ordinary paper despite a mention of twelfth edition.

Paper yellowed and slightly brittle at the edges, a small insignificant lack at the head of the leaves of the first gathering which was poorly cut.

Beautiful autograph inscription signed by André Malraux on the half-title page: "A André Germain - cet ancien portrait de moi-même où je ne me reconnais guère que par endroits - avec le fidèle souvenir et la sympathie d'André Malraux." (To André Germain - this old portrait of myself in which I hardly recognize myself except in places - with faithful memory and the sympathy of André Malraux.)
 

First edition in French, a Service de Presse (advance) copy.

Spine sunned with dampstains, pale dampstain to right margin of front board.

Autograph inscription signed by the translator Maurice Edgar Coindreau to Pierre Ripault.

Ronéotype réalisé par Boris Vian de son manuscrit original, avec ajout autographe du titre : "Le penseur" et deux corrections autogrpahes, nouvelle initialement parue dans la revue Dans le train n°15, 1949, puis publiée dans le recueil posthume Le Loup-Garou en 1970.

Sans doute réalisé pour conserver une copie de sa nouvelle, avant l'envoi à la revue Dans le train, ce ronéotype du manuscrit originale signé a été conservé dans les archives de l'écrivain jusqu'à sa mort. les deux corrections autogrpahes et le titre au crayon semble indiquer que Boris Vian avait prévu une nouvelle publication.

Cette biogaphie express de la courte vie d

First edition, one of 55 numbered copies on pur fil paper, most limited deluxe issue.
Endleaves and half-title slightly and partially shaded.
Exceedingly rare and handsome copy of this seminal text of modern feminism.

Our copy is housed in a custom gray clamshell box, square spine titled in red, author's name and subtitles in black, first panel hollowed revealing a black and white photograph of Simone de Beauvoir as a young woman under a plexiglass, title in red, author's name, first volume number and subtitle in black, second panel hollowed revealing a color photograph of the author in her prime under plexiglass, titled in red, author's name, second volume number and subtit

To make the strength of marriage consist in that of love is to go so far as to misunderstand the spirit of this institution.