HOBBES, Thomas (1588-1679). Leviathan; or The Matter, Forme, and Power of a Commonwealth Ecclesiasticall and Civill. London: Andrew Crooke, 1651.

The first edition, first issue, with head ornament on title-page. Hobbes's landmark work "produced a fermentation in English thought not surpassed until the advent of Darwinism" (Pforzheimer). It unleashed a storm of controversy and was in such demand that when Pepys wished to buy a copy, he had to buy it second-hand and pay almost four times the original published price. Leaf A4 in state 1, incorrectly signed "B" and the famous frontispiece in a bold impression. Kress 830; MacDonald and Hargreaves 42, Pforzheimer 491, PMM 138.

Folio (280 x 181mm). Engraved frontispiece, folding table (intermittent toning and scattered small stains, paper flaw costing 3 letters on 2T2, a marginal year on Y1, a little marginal dampstain at ends). Contemporary blind-ruled calf (sympathetically rebacked, later endpapers, corners worn). Provenance: Samuel Westwood (early ownership inscription to title) – Anne Payce (early ownership inscription to p.1) – William Roughton (late 18th or early 19th century gift inscription preserved on upper pastedown): – William Brackenbury Bousfield – C.T.J. Moore, Sheriff of Lincolnshire (ownership inscription on upper pastedown, inkstamps to f.f.e. and title).