Sylva Sylvarum – Francis Bacon – 1651 | New Atlantis & Life and Death

Sylva Sylvarum by Francis Bacon is a famous set of philosophical treatises covering topics such as medical treatments for prolonged life and preservation of youth by using opium! Bacon wrote this book as a collection of miscellaneous topics – others include ancient wisdom and secrets. Other works in this volume include New Atlantis and Natural History which helped lay the foundation for many philosophical methodologies that would be important through the 18th- and 19th-centuries.

This 1651 folio is beautifully rebound in modern leather and retains the original illustrated title page and portrait frontispiece.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Sylva sylvarum, or, A naturall history: in ten centuries: whereunto is newly added the History naturall and experimentall of life and death, or of the prolongation of life
• Author(s): Francis Bacon
• Publisher: London: Printed by J.F. for William Lee
• Edition: 1651. sixth edition
• Format: (4to), single volume
• Binding: Full modern leather
• Size:  11.5 x 7.5 in (29 x 19.5 cm)
• Collation:
  • ‘Sylva’ – [16], 218, [22]
  • ‘New Atlantis’ – [4], 36
  • ‘History of Life & Death’ (Prolongation) – [8], 64
• Illustrations: Illustrated title page; portrait frontispiece
• Contents Include:
  • Sylva Sylvarum
  • New Atlantis
  • History of Life and Death
• Reference(s): Wing B330

Condition:

Very Good. Rebound in modern leather, the binding is secure and intact. The interior is complete and clean. No leaves are missing, and the illustrated title page remains in place.

Why Collect This?

• Early printing of Bacon’s natural philosophy
• Fine, modern leather in folio
• Contains Bacon’s utopia, New Atlantis

Item Number: # 29091