Bacon's Essays – Francis Bacon (Macmillan and Co., 1906, Fine Prize Binding)

This Macmillan and Co. edition (1906) of Francis Bacon's Essays is presented in a handsome contemporary half morocco binding, of interest to collectors of fine bindings, Francis Bacon, and early 20th century decorative books.

About: A very good copy in a distinguished red morocco binding over marbled boards. The spine is richly gilt-tooled in compartments with elaborate floral and foliate decoration, with a red morocco title label lettered in gilt. The front board carries a circular armorial device at the centre. The binding shows honest age - the spine is somewhat darkened and rubbed, with a small chip to the head, and the front board has light surface wear — but the overall effect remains handsome and distinguished. The interior pages are age-toned as expected but clean and tight throughout.

Details:

• Title: The Essays, Colours of Good and Evil & Advancement of Learning
• Author: Francis Bacon
• Publisher: Macmillan and Co. Limited, London / The Macmillan Company, New York
• Publication Date: 1906
• Binding: Half red morocco over marbled boards, gilt-tooled spine, contemporary or near-contemporary rebind
• Condition: Very Good

Synopsis: A finely bound Macmillan edition of Bacon's collected Essays, together with Colours of Good and Evil and The Advancement of Learning - three of the most celebrated works of the English Renaissance. The gilt-tooled half morocco binding makes this an attractive addition to any library of decorative or literary bindings.

Review: Francis Bacon's Essays (first published 1597, expanded 1612 and 1625) are among the founding texts of English prose literature - pithy, worldly, and endlessly quotable meditations on subjects ranging from truth and death to gardens and ambition. The Advancement of Learning (1605) is his great philosophical manifesto for empirical inquiry. This Macmillan edition presents both works in a binding that does full justice to their stature.