Ian Ehling
Head of Department
Lot 4
POSTEL, GUILLAUME. 1510-1581. Liber de Causis seu de Principiis & originibus Naturæ v-triusque.... Paris: S. Nivelle, 1552.
6 March 2020, 10:00 EST
New YorkSold for US$2,805 inc. premium
Looking for a similar item?
Our Books & Manuscripts specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistAsk about this lot
POSTEL, GUILLAUME. 1510-1581.
Liber de Causis seu de Principiis & originibus Naturæ v-triusque.... Paris: S. Nivelle, 1552.
16mo (105 x 73 mm). Red morocco, decorative border gilt to upper cover, with crest of John Ker, 3rd Duke of Roxburghe to covers, variegated gilt page edges.
VERY RARE FIRST EDITION OF POSTEL'S WORK ON NEOPLATONISM. One of the most influential philosophical texts of the Middle Ages, the Liber de Causis, was a primary vehicle for the transmission of the Platonic philosophy. Falsely attributed to Aristotle in its original titling, the substance of the work is principally drawn from Proclus' Elements of Theology. Of unknown authorship, the Liber de Causis was formerly thought to be of 9th-century Islamic origin, but more recently a 12th century Jewish philosopher has been proposed as the probable author/compiler. Many of the greatest minds of the medieval period, from Aquinas to Roger Bacon, wrote commentaries on the Liber. Postel's treatise examines the origin and cause of nature, discussing both Neoplatonic and Aristotelean views.
A French Orientalist and philosopher, Postel was a leading exponent of the Christian Kabbalah. His many books lean toward esoteric and mystical subjects. Postel was for many years marginalized by the academic community for his unconventional views, but his image has undergone a transformation in recent years, and he is emerging as "one of the impressive and influential personalities of the Renaissance." All of Postel's books are rare in commerce. We find only two copies of this book offered at auction as recorded by rarebookhub and ABPC. An especially fine copy of Postel's Liber de Causis, from the legendary Roxburghe Library, one of the greatest book collections ever formed. Caillet 8898. Des Billons, p 127 ("Tres rare, & peu connu").
16mo (105 x 73 mm). Red morocco, decorative border gilt to upper cover, with crest of John Ker, 3rd Duke of Roxburghe to covers, variegated gilt page edges.
VERY RARE FIRST EDITION OF POSTEL'S WORK ON NEOPLATONISM. One of the most influential philosophical texts of the Middle Ages, the Liber de Causis, was a primary vehicle for the transmission of the Platonic philosophy. Falsely attributed to Aristotle in its original titling, the substance of the work is principally drawn from Proclus' Elements of Theology. Of unknown authorship, the Liber de Causis was formerly thought to be of 9th-century Islamic origin, but more recently a 12th century Jewish philosopher has been proposed as the probable author/compiler. Many of the greatest minds of the medieval period, from Aquinas to Roger Bacon, wrote commentaries on the Liber. Postel's treatise examines the origin and cause of nature, discussing both Neoplatonic and Aristotelean views.
A French Orientalist and philosopher, Postel was a leading exponent of the Christian Kabbalah. His many books lean toward esoteric and mystical subjects. Postel was for many years marginalized by the academic community for his unconventional views, but his image has undergone a transformation in recent years, and he is emerging as "one of the impressive and influential personalities of the Renaissance." All of Postel's books are rare in commerce. We find only two copies of this book offered at auction as recorded by rarebookhub and ABPC. An especially fine copy of Postel's Liber de Causis, from the legendary Roxburghe Library, one of the greatest book collections ever formed. Caillet 8898. Des Billons, p 127 ("Tres rare, & peu connu").