Catalogus librorum ab Autoribus Illustribus sub finem anni 1688 & initio anni 1689 editorum
[Germany], c. 1700.
4to (194 x 154 mm.). [6], [2 blank]p. In a single cursive hand.
A single quire, unbound (evidence of earlier sewing).
LEIBNIZ’S CATALOG OF FIFTY-TWO IMAGINARY BOOKS satirizes European political and military maneuvering in 1688-9, at the outset of the Nine Years’ War. The text was printed in Latin (this version) and in Latin and German. Together, ?three editions survive in four examples (all in German-speaking countries).
Leibniz (1646-1716) grouped the works into theology (eighteen), law (eight), medicine (ten) and philosophy (fourteen) and closed with two “forthcoming publications”. The titles’ scholarly veneer hardly disguises his harsh view of contemporary politics. This manuscript copy was likely made between 1691 and 1716, while Leibniz was librarian at Wolfenbüttel, then the largest library north of the Alps. Browned (the inner bifolium less so).
Price: $3,500.00