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Francis Bacon : Sylva Sylvarum: or A Natural Historie / New Atlantis. A work undefined

William Lee, London, c. 1635

Contemporary full calf within embossed triple-lined border, rebacked expertly in six compartments of raised bands, gilt text on two and three, all edges tinted red, endpapers renewed. , A very good example, text is generally clean and crisp., 4to, P. frontis, engraved title, blank, title, blank, (7), blank, (9), blank, 1-260, (28), blank; title, blank, (2), 1-47, blank, (2), With two plates, being the engraved frontis portrait of Francis Bacon and the engraved title page. Also with several elaborate head pieces and initials.

“The last work on which Bacon was engaged was the Sylva Sylvarum (meaning probably a collection of collections), a miscellaneous collection of observations and experiments in natural history. It was published by Dr. Rawley in 1627, the year after Bacon’s death, but the preface was written by Rawley during his lifetime. It was repeatedly reissued, reaching a tenth edition in 1676. . .It is probably the best and most complete single collection of the kind that, up to that time, had been published. Appended to the Sylva Sylvarum in Rawley’s edition is the New Atlantis . . . written before 1617. It is deservedly one of the most popular of Bacon’s works; it bears the stamp of his genius as much, perhaps, as anything which he wrote; and lastly, it is credited with having, to a large extent, suggested the foundation and programme of our own Royal Society, as well as of several scientific associations abroad.” (National Biography), STC 1172; Gibson, Francis Bacon, 174.

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