Chosen · Described · Sold with care

FOLIA MUNDI
FRENCHF
The letter
FOLIA MUNDIThe ReserveFM 0001
The 1655 Praeadamitae opened at its title page
Uniform catalogue view on ivory

The Reserve · FM 0001

Isaac de La Peyrère

PræadamitæSive Exercitatio… & Systema theologicum

1655Elzevier issueFolding mapOld vellum

A controversial seventeenth-century theological work in the first duodecimo issue, preserving its folding map of the Holy Land and several old provenance marks.

Edition
[Amsterdam, Elzevier], 1655 · Willems 1189
Format
Duodecimo · 13.8 × 9 × 3 cm
Contents
Three texts bound together · folding map present
Provenance
Old marks, including Slatkine, Geneva

Price

CHF 1’980

Status

Available through The Reserve

Offered after a personal exchange, with insured delivery or viewing by appointment in Switzerland.

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Bibliographical description

A landmark in the history of biblical chronology.

La Peyrère argued that human beings existed before Adam, a thesis that provoked immediate controversy. This compact 1655 issue brings together three related texts and belongs to the second overall edition, the first in duodecimo format.

The folding map is present. A handwritten note concerning the work’s condemnation is retained as evidence of reception history, but is not treated as an authenticated institutional annotation.

The copy in detail

The main view has been isolated on an ivory background for a consistent presentation. The unedited documentary photographs remain the reference for the text, condition, defects and structure.

View all documentary photographs

The original views show the item exactly as photographed, including hands used to support certain leaves.

Latin title page of Praeadamitae dated 1655
Title page · 1655
Old folding map entitled Terrae Sanctae Delineatio
Folding map of the Holy Land
Vellum spine with manuscript titles
Spine titled in ink
Old vellum front cover
Front cover
Old vellum rear cover
Rear cover
Endpaper with several old manuscript annotations
Annotations and provenance marks
Manuscript note mentioning an acquisition from Slatkine in Geneva, probably in December 1942
Historical note and Slatkine provenance
Rear pastedown showing the binding structure
Rear pastedown and binding structure
Printed Latin table of chapters
Table of chapters
Latin text on pages 48 and 49
Text block · pages 48–49
Final printed page followed by a blank leaf
End of text and blank leaf

Condition and checks

Complete description, visible evidence and necessary cautions.

Binding

Old pale vellum, worn and marked, with historic repairs and handling traces.

Text and map

Text browned in places; the folding map is present. The last printed page has been photographed.

Provenance

Several ownership and bookseller marks survive, including a late-December 1942 Slatkine inscription whose exact day is faint.

FOLIA MUNDI · Documented expertise

A documented seventeenth-century witness, offered with personal guidance.

A condition report, additional photographs and a viewing can be arranged before any decision.

Make an acquisition request