[Philosophy] (Locke, John). Two Treatises of Government: In the former, The false Principles, and Foundation of Sir Robert Filmer, And his Followers, Are Detected and Overthrown. The latter is an Essay Concerning the True Original, Extent, and End of Civil Government

London: Printed for Awnsham Churchill, 1690 (but 1689). First edition (with quire Q in second, of two, settings, per Yolton/Laslett). 8vo. (xii), 464, 269-271 pp.; without final errata leaf ("usually" found, per Yolton). Title-page within double rule; License leaf, dated August 23, 1689; sectional title-page for Book II. Modern tan cloth, titled in gilt on upper spine, "G.L.M." in gilt on lower spine; all edges trimmed; License leaf repaired in gutter; three ownership signatures on title-page (near-contemporary and later): "John Guild (Bot. in Octr. 1763)", "A.C. Fraser", "B. Laing"; Locke's name supplied twice in manuscript on title-page; scattered but extensive modern pencil underlining, and some pencil marginalia; some contemporary underlining in ink; "IB" added in contemporary manuscript at bottom of I1; repair bottom edge Cc3; scattered light spotting to text. From the library of German-American cultural and social historian George L. Mosse (1918-99), and with his initials in gilt at foot of spine. Yolton 29; Laslett 1; ESTC R2930; Wing L-2766; Printing and the Mind of Man 163

Very rare first edition of John Locke's foundational text on civil society and the nature of government. Published at the end of 1689 in an edition of likely only 1,000 copies. The first part of Locke's work is a refutation of Robert Filmer's 1680 work Patriarcha, defending the divine right of kings, while the second part delineates Locke's influential ideas regarding the origin and purposes of civil government. Locke's argument that men are by nature free and equal, and that people have the right to life, liberty, and property, would provide the intellectual bedrock for the American and French Revolutions.

According to RBH, this is only the fourth copy to come to auction since 1981 (one of which was defective).

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]

Please contact the Auction Specialist for details.

Darren Winston

SVP, Head of Department, Books and Manuscripts, Philadelphia

[email protected]267.414.1247

Darren Winston, Senior Vice President at Freeman’s, has served as Head of Department for Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, since 2018. He has been a trustee of the Rosenbach Museum and Library since 2022, is a member of The Manuscript Society, The Bibliographical Society of America, and Philadelphia’s Philobiblon Club.

Raised in northern New Jersey, Darren moved to New York City in 1988 and began his career there as a bookseller in 1995. He spent the next 18 years selling to private clients and at East Coast book fairs. In 2003 he moved with his young family to Sharon, Connecticut where, in 2009, he opened his own bookshop. Darren Winston, Bookseller offered rare and vintage books, prints, fine art, and more, and hosted over 50 book signings and art shows. He was a trustee and, later, Board President, of the Sharon Historical Society, and for six years a trustee of Indian Mountain School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Darren has hosted the radio program "Darren Winston's Book Report" for NPR-affiliate WHDD since 2009, appeared in the 2014 book-themed documentary The Paper Trail, and in 2024 he joined Antiques Roadshow as a books and manuscripts appraiser. From 1999 to 2005, Darren was the buyer and consultant to the Fine and Rare Books Department at Asprey, the British luxury goods company, at its New York headquarters. While there he spearheaded various in-store events including readings by Salman Rushdie and Dominick Dunne.

In 1993, Darren was hired as a Creative Consultant to Columbia Records, where he assisted in the repackaging of their 12-record Aerosmith back catalogue. He later sold his extensive collection of Aerosmith memorabilia, which he began amassing at the age of 14, directly to the band.

Darren now lives on the Main Line, outside Philadelphia, with his wife, two children, and dog. The family travels frequently to his wife's native England and Scotland. When not bookselling, he plays guitar in Pumped, an Aerosmith tribute band. Darren also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

Books and Manuscripts

[Philosophy] (Locke, John). Two Treatises of Government: In the former, The false Principles, and Foundation of Sir Robert Filmer, And his Followers, Are Detected and Overthrown. The latter is an Essay Concerning the True Original, Extent, and End of Civil Government

Lot Description

Condition Report

Preview

Auction Contact

Shipping | Pickup