De Nagelate Schriften[The Posthumous Writings]
Baruch Spinoza
Amsterdam, 1677 
 
First Dutch edition of Opera Posthuma - a compilation of the legendary philosopher’s works and letters, it contains the first appearance of Ethics. This edition is the first vernacular translation and a notably rarer survival than its Latin counterpart, despite their simultaneous printing and publication. Due to its accessibility to a wider audience, it was particularly threatening to authorities and was strongly outlawed - sellers of the book faced confiscation and heavy fines.
 
Contemporary vellum with two closed tears on the spine top, small ink stain on bottom textblock edge, front endpapers and 10 pages of text heavily foxed, some browning otherwise generally quite clean. Overall, a Near Fine copy of a very rare and historical book.
 
Ref:
 
Printing Spinoza, Jeroen M.M. van de Ven