Études Sur La Nature Humaine. Essai De Philosophie Optimiste.

Item Details

Paris, Masson et Cie., 1903

First, Very good

First edition. Octavo. (6), 399, [1] pp. With 5 plates hors texte and 20 textual illustrations. Strictly contemporary quarter pebble-grain green morocco over marbled boards to match, gilt spine lettering and date, marbled endpapers. Tips and edges with minimal wear. Inoffensive and smallish blind-stamp to upper blank margin of title and dedication leaves. An exceptionally clean copy in an appropriate and attractive contemporary binding.

A very handsome and clean copy of arguably Metchnikoff's most influential book (it appeared in English as "The Nature of Man: Studies in Optimistic Philosophy" in 1903). It is kind of a synthesis of many of his most revolutionary ideas on aging.

Bearing the bookplate of Tracy Barrett Kittredge (1891–1957). KIttredge is a well known name in the bibliophile world. His grandfather was  famous Harvard scholar George Lyman Kittredge and Tracy himself was quite a bookman himself; he was the Archivist at chief archivist at the Naval War College. After he died in 1957 his wife presented the book, along with a typographic bookplate reading "The Library of Haverford Library. Gift of Mrs. Tracy B. Kittredge. Accession No. [BLANK]." But Haverford really never processed the book other than to use their small blind-stamp. There is no accession number, no pocket, etc. Correspondence from Haverford College stating the book was deaccessioned. 

[Together with:]  

METCHNIKOFF, Elias. Immunität bei Infektionskrankheiten. Einzig autorisierte Übersetzung von Dr. Julius Meyer. Mit 45 Figuren im Text. Jena: Gustav Fischer, 1902. First German edition of Metchnikoff's important work on immunology first published in France in 1901.  Octavo. xi, [1], 456 pp. Functional, sturdy and clean tan canvas over boards with re morocco gilt spine label. Again, a very clean and sturdy copy.