- 3
Machiavelli, Niccolò
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 GBP
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Description
- Machiavelli, Niccolò
- Nicholas Machiavel's Prince. Also, The life of Castruccio Castracani of Lucca. And the meanes Duke Valentine us'd to put to death Vitellozzo Vitelli, Oliverotto of Fermo, Paul, and the Duke of Gravina. Translated out of Italian into English by E[dward]. D[acres]. London: R. Bishop for William Hils and Daniel Pakeman, 1640
- Paper
12mo (142 x 78mm.), first edition in English, contemporary calf, modern chemise and slipcase, browning to title and endpapers
Provenance
[?] Fitzgerald, inscription dated 1844 at head of title; Sara Read, inscription dated 1867 on reverse of title.
Literature
ESTC S111853; PMM 63
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
First edition of the first English translation of Machiavelli's classic and enduringly relevant treatise on the true nature of power. Although Il Principe, which was first published in 1532, had been banned in Elizabethan England, the text had been available to English readers in Latin, Italian, French and Spanish editions and, as contemporary references to Machiavelli and his book confirm, had been widely read and discussed. In his dedication to James, Duke of Lenox, acres acknowledges that the book's reputation may trouble his readers but argues that we still have much to learn from it: "This book carryes its poyson and malice in it; yet mee thinks the judicious peruser may honestly make use of it in the actions of his life, with advantage."
Dacres' translation is a classic in its own right, holding its own through the intervening centuries owing to its rigorous fidelity to the letter of the text, and resisting the temptation (unlike later translators) of "improving " Machiavelli's style by introducing rhetorical embellishments to the text.