Tractatus Theologico-Politicus [A Theological-Political Treatise], by Baruch Spinoza. Hamburg: Henricum Künrath, 1670 [Amsterdam: Jan Rieuwertsz, after 1677]. Latin and some Hebrew. Fifth edition.
Fifth edition of the book "A Theological-Political Treatise" by Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677). In the book, which was first printed in 1670, Spinoza lays the foundations for modern Bible criticism and describes the principles of his outlook on the connection between freedom of philosophical thought and the belief in religion and the State's authority. Due to its controversial content and it undermining contemporary religious and political norms, Spinoza preferred to publish it anonymously and even used a fictitious imprint. In 1674 the book was banned in Holland.
Several different editions of "A Theological-Political Treatise" printed with the fictitious imprint of Henricum Künrath are known of. Since the editions differ from each other only by slight typographical variations, for a long time they were all considered the first edition. Before us is the fifth edition printed, presumably, after 1677. See: The Early Editions of Spinoza's Tractatus Theologico-politicus, a Bibliohistorical Reexamination by Fritz Bamberger (Cincinnati, Ohio, 1961; enclosed).
[12], 233 pp, 19.5 cm. Good condition. Stains. Ink notation on the upper part of the title page. Bookplates on the inside front binding and front flyleaf. Pen inscriptions on the front endpaper. Bound in a leather binding with later spine (two strips of tape along inside hinges). Blemishes and rubbing to binding.