Books

Three volumes, duodecimos in sixes, contemporary polished sheep, spine ends, and hinges chipped, edges and corners of covers bit worn with few pieces missing front cover of volume 3, name torn from upper edge of front blank fly-leaves, few names on fly leaf, usual foxing, yet a respectable set. It would appear that this is the earliest American attempt at at a collection of Locke's philosophical works. Excepting an edition which Shaw & Shoemaker 835 list as three volumes, Brattleboro, Vt., 1801-1806, our 1803 set is the first to be completed. Curiously, the auction records note a three volume Brattleboro & Boston, 1806 set which sold several years ago for $250. Although Locke had been appreciated in America from the earliest appearances of his writings, his writings were slow to be printed in the Colonies. And, the survival rate for these early printings is small indeed; of this set, we have located but five copies, and no auction appearances for a decade or more. Shaw & Shoemaker 4533. The very rare earliest completed attempt at the printing of this collection. This set will require extra postage, with the exact amount depending upon the destination.

An Essay Concerning Human Understanding is a work by John Locke concerning the foundation of human knowledge and understanding. It first appeared in 1690.