Francofurti ad Moenum, Sumptibus Friderici Knochii, 1692, 4 parts in 1 volume. 4to. 45 ll, 3 ll, 384 pp; 15 ll, 168pp; 7 ll, 200 pp; 74 ll, 3 ll, 16 ll, 188 pp. Contemporary full parchment with flaps (some wear, soiling, and corners missing).
The first edition of the Opera philosophica by the publisher Friderici Knochii. These were contrived collections consisting of separate works with a general title. From 1644 onwards the Elseviers were producing this type of collection. These Opera " were printed 6 times by Elsevier in Amsterdam in the octavo format. Because each edition was formed from parts sold separately and then collected together in varying amounts bibliographers were themselves complete confused when describing them" (Willems 255).
Here in detail are the works that make up this particular collection and agree with the collation made by Guibert (p. 233):
1. Meditationes de prima philosophica. This also contains 7 separate engravings inserted at the end of the volume. (Guibert S. 66,14)
2. Principa Philosophiae . With 61 figures throughout the text; several occupying whole pages (G.S. 137, 22)
3. Specimina philosophica seu Dissertatio de methodo Rectè regentae rationes, & veritatis in scientiis investigande Dioptrice et Meteora . With a separately inserted plate at the end of the volume and 120 figures throughout, several occupying whole pages. (G.S. 171, 22)
4. Passiones Animae (G.S. 171, 22)
5. Tractatus de Homine et de Formatione Foetus Quorum prior Notis perpetuis Ludovici de La Forge, M.D. illustratur. Works containing 48 figures within the text (G.S. 171, 22)
These 5 dissertations are all preceded by a) a frontispiece carrying an engraving of Descartes at his desk accompanied by 2 globes, a quill in his hand. A beam of sunshine falls from the window while a human skeleton is pinned against a panel; b) The philosopher's life, c) a General Index and d) Breves Annotationes ad controversa quaedam Philosophiae Renati Des-Cartes (notes)
Apart from the Principia Philosophiae, each part has a title page with a vignette. An ex-Libris bookplate dated 1700 and ownership inscriptions of 1765 and 1767 appear on the front end papers. Some foxing.