Theophilus Gale

The Court of the Gentiles: Or, A discourse touching the original of human literature, both philologie and philosophie, from the Scriptures and Jewish Church [Four Parts in Two Volumes] [Thomas Maitland, Lord Dundrennan's Copy]

Oxon / London: H. Hall for Tho. Gilbert / J. Macock for Thomas Gilbert / A. Maxwell and R. Roberts, for T. Cockeril, 1672. Very Good. Item #25177

Mixed Edition, the Second Edition revised, and enlarged of Parts I and II, First Edition of Parts III and IV. Four parts bound into two volumes; small quartos; full contemporary calf, elaborately gilt-tooled spines in five compartments, all edges marbled. Minor scuffing to extremities, discreetly repaired crack along spine of first volume, expert repairs to boards of the latter volume, else a Very Good, quite attractive set, internally sound. Contents as follows:

Part I: Oxon: H. Hall, for Tho. Gilbert, 1672. [36],85,[3],152,115,[1]pp. (*-4*4 5*2 B-2Y4 2Z2). ESTC R1077; MADAN (Oxford Books) III 2928; Wing G137.

Part II: London: J. Macock for Thomas Gilbert, 1676. [46],512pp. (A4 a-d4 e2 B-3T4, errata leaf bound after e2). ESTC 2140; WING G140.

Part III: London: A. Maxwell and R. Roberts, for T. Cockeril, at the Sign of the Atlas in Cornhil, near the Royal Exchange, 1677. [24],238,[2]pp. A4 (b)-(c)4 B-2H4. ESTC R10994; WING G141.

Part IV: London: J. Macock, for Thomas Cockeril, at the Sign of the Atlas in Cornhil, near the Royal Exchange, 1677. [10],528pp. A4 a-d4 A-3U4. ESTC R25438; WING G142.

Ejected minister Theophilus Gale's magnum opus of reformed Platonism. Gale (1628-1679) published all of his major works in the decade leading up to his death, though his "reputation as one of the great savants of his time rested on his monumental 'The Court of the Gentiles'" (Dictionary of National Biography).

Provenance: From the library of 19th century Scottish judge and bibliophile Thomas Maitland, Lord Dundrennan (1792-1851), whose "magnificent" library was deemed a "monument" by his contemporary Lord Cockburn (cf. Dictionary of National Biography).

Price: $1,000.00