Item No: #308197 The Works of Jacob Behman, the Teutonic Theosopher [Complete in Four Volumes]. Jakob Böhme, Jacob Behman.
The Works of Jacob Behman, the Teutonic Theosopher [Complete in Four Volumes]
The Works of Jacob Behman, the Teutonic Theosopher [Complete in Four Volumes]
The Works of Jacob Behman, the Teutonic Theosopher [Complete in Four Volumes]
The Works of Jacob Behman, the Teutonic Theosopher [Complete in Four Volumes]
The Works of Jacob Behman, the Teutonic Theosopher [Complete in Four Volumes]
The Works of Jacob Behman, the Teutonic Theosopher [Complete in Four Volumes]
The Works of Jacob Behman, the Teutonic Theosopher [Complete in Four Volumes]
The Works of Jacob Behman, the Teutonic Theosopher [Complete in Four Volumes]
The Works of Jacob Behman, the Teutonic Theosopher [Complete in Four Volumes]
The Works of Jacob Behman, the Teutonic Theosopher [Complete in Four Volumes]
The Works of Jacob Behman, the Teutonic Theosopher [Complete in Four Volumes]

A Classic of Illustrated Mystical Philosophy

The Works of Jacob Behman, the Teutonic Theosopher [Complete in Four Volumes]

Notes: A classic of Christian mysticism, pairing fantastical engravings with English translations of the works of Jakob Boehme, a self-taught German theologian and philosopher. Boehme's visionary writings greatly influenced many British writers and artists like Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Blake and many German Romantics. These volumes are illustrated with a frontispiece portrait of Boehme and 25 plates.

This edition reprints 17th century English translations by John Sparrow and John Ellistone of Boehme's writings, assembled by the curate William Law who died before publication began. Law envisioned illustrated volumes, with engraved plates that matched Boehme's mystical visions. That was achieved with the three plates at the end of the third volume, which portray man, woman, and the zodiac with flaps and up to 16 overlays. Two of the other plates are handcolored, including the famous occult illustration, "The True Principles of All Things: Byss and Abyss, Nothing and All, Time and Eternity."

The contents are: Vol. I. The aurora. The three principles. Vol. II. The threefold life of man. The answers to forty questions concerning the soul. The treatise of the incarnation. The clavis, or, An explanation of some principal points and expressions in his writings. Vol. III. The mysterium magnum, or, An explanation of Genesis. Four tables of divine revelation. Vol. IV. Signatura rerum. Of the election of grace, or, Of God's will towards man, commonly called predestination. The way to Christ. A discourse between a soul hungry and thirsty after the fountain of life, the sweet love of Jesus Christ; and a soul enlightened. Of the four complexions. Of Christ's testaments, baptism, and the supper.

Quartos. Pagination, including blank pages at the end of sections:

Vol. I: xxiv, [plate], [2], 269 (plate after p. 22), [7], 22, plus a frontispiece portrait of Boehme and two plates inserted at the end, one handcolored and the other a double-page folding plate with flap onlays.
Vol. II: [8] 195 (plate after p. 94), [36], 120 (plate facing p. 24), 160, 32, with 13 inserted plates, for a total of 15 plates.
Vol. III: [4], 508, [26], 37 pages with three plates with multiple onlays, cutouts, and flaps in the final section.
Vol. IV: [6], [2 plates, one folding and handcolored], 304 (plate following p. 140), 218, [8] pages; for a total of 3 plates.

Edition + Condition: First editions; second issue of volume IV (The Way to Christ has 110 pages). Complete with all plates.

This is a very attractive set in a three-quarters speckled calf binding with marbled paper-covered boards. The backstrips are divided into six compartments with gilt decorations; page edges dyed yellow. The leather is a bit dry with some rubbing on the outer joints.

The title pages of the final three volumes are laid down on thicker paper, with some loss, including part of the date in volume III. A few plates are also lined on the verso (back) but they are in generally excellent condition, with all flaps and onlays.

Volume I has marginal notations in ink on several dozen pages, probably from the early 19th century; the notes are slightly trimmed, dating them prior to the current binding. Occasional pencil notes in other volumes.

Publication: London: Printed for M. Richardson (vols. 1 and 2) and G. Robinson (vols. 3 and 4), 1764, 1764, 1773, and 1781.

Item No: #308197

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