Sold by Raptis Rare Books, Palm Beach, FL, U.S.A.
AbeBooks Seller since September 24, 2003
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Finely bound edition of Machiavelliâ s Prince, a seminal work in the foundation of modern political theory and a great classic of political science. Octavo, bound in full morocco by Asprey, gilt titles to the spine, raised bands, gilt ruled to the front and rear panels, inner dentelles, marbled endpapers. In fine condition. A nice presentation. "Machiavelli founded the science of modern politics on the study of mankindâ ¦ Politics was a science to be divorced entirely from ethics, and nothing must stand in the way of its machinery,â ¦â for when a decision to be taken depends on the survival of oneâ s country, no consideration may be given to justice or injustice, to kindness or cruelty, to actions being laudable or ignominiousâ ¦ That course must be followed which will save its existence and preserve its freedomâ (PMM 63). The first manuscript of The Prince arrived in England by way of Thomas Cromwell almost 100 years before this 1640 publication in English, and the influence of â this little workâ was great. Shakespeare and Marlowe abound with references to Machiavelli. His seemingly amoral stance earned him a villainous reputation in Elizabethan England, where his name was synonymous with evil and atheism (Lord Macaulay wrote: â We doubt whether any name in literary history be so generally odiousâ ), but his keen and practical analysis were admired by such important Enlightenment figures as Bacon, Rousseau, and above all David Hume (Smith 32). In this first appearance in English, the translator Edward Dacres justifies the publication of such a sinister book: â This book carryes its poyson and malice in it; yet mee thinks the judicious peruser may honestly make use of it in the actions of his life, with advantage.â The Prince was first placed on the Index of Prohibited Booksâ " in the â banned absolutelyâ category in 1559. â The English translation was published in 1640 when the Episcopal censorship broke downâ (100 Banned Books, 128). By 1643, however, censorship was again firmly ensconced in England (the protest of which was the subject of Miltonâ s Areopagitica) and it would be more than twenty years for the reappearance of The Prince in English. The list of rulers who read and used the work is long: â Henry III and Henry IV of France were carrying copies when they were murdered; Louis XIV used the book as â his favorite nightcapâ ; an annotated copy was found in Napoleon Bonaparteâ s coach at Waterlooâ (Books that Changed the World, 26).
Seller Inventory # 139631
All books are first editions, first printings unless otherwise noted. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. All items are guaranteed. Domestic shipping is free. www.raptisrarebooks.com
Books are dispatched immediately. Standard domestic shipping is free. International shipping is done at cost.
| Order quantity | 5 to 14 business days | 3 to 6 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | US$ 0.00 | US$ 8.00 |
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.
