Hobbes (Thomas) De Corpore Politico. Or the Elements of Law, Moral & Politick, first edition, worming to gathering B affecting a few letters of text, closely shaved, touching a few headlines, [WIng H2219], for J. Martin and J. Ridley, 1650 bound with Humane Nature: or the fundamental Elements of Policy Being a discovery of the Faculties, Acts and Passions of the Soul of Man, first edition, lacking blanks A1&2, I2 moved before B1 and becoming loose, worming to inner margin, just touching text towards end, [Wing H2242], by T. Newcomb, 1650, together 2 works in 1 vol., woodcut initials and head-pieces, bookplate to pastedown, contemporary calf, 12mo,

⁂ Hobbes first work of political philosophy, both parts are rare, we can only trace one other example of them appearing together at auction.

Hobbes wrote the treatise The Elements of Law, Natural and Politic in 1640 as a defence of the King's own interpretation of his prerogatives. The work was circulated in manuscript form (its arguments were used by Royalist members in parliamentary debates) but never intended for publication. The Elements eventually saw publication in the present form, an unauthorised edition which split the work in two under separate titles.

Provenance: George Goyder (bookplate).