BACON, Francis (1561-1626). The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the proficience and advancement of Learning, divine and humane. London: for Henrie Tomes, 1605.

First edition of "the forerunner of the De Augmentis Scientia" (Pforzheimer). The Advancement of learning was the first of two works in which Bacon expounded his philosophy of scientific method. It was expanded and Latinized as De augmentis scientiarum in 1623. "In the Twoo bookes, Bacon concerned himself primarily with the classification of philosophy and the sciences and with developing his influential view of the relation between science and theology" (Norman 97). According to Pforzheimer, very few copies have the two errata leaves, which were likely only added to later copies. Grolier/Horblit 8a; Norman 97; Pforzheimer 36; STC 1164.

Quarto (180 x 132mm). Without two errata leaves as often (a few pale dampstains). 19th-century stiff vellum boards, spine gilt, morocco title label (joints splitting). Provenance: Sir Walter John Trevelyan, 8th Baronet, 1866-1831 (stamps; note of gift to Trevelyan from "Arthur" on flyleaf).