A Brief View of Greek Philosophy Up to the Age of Pericles | William Pickering, 1844 | Fine Leather Binding | Rare

Published in London by William Pickering in 1844, A Brief View of Greek Philosophy Up to the Age of Pericles is an attractive and uncommon mid-19th-century survey of the intellectual and cultural development of ancient Greece. Issued as No. VI in the series Small Books on Great Subjects, the work traces Greek civilization and philosophical thought from its earliest period through the age of Pericles, discussing such figures and traditions as Pythagoras, Socrates, Anaxagoras, Aspasia, and the intellectual life of Athens. A substantial chronological table places the development of Greek philosophy within the broader political and historical events of the ancient world. This copy is particularly appealing for its period fine binding: three-quarter brown leather over striking hand-marbled paper boards, with leather corner pieces and a richly gilt-decorated spine. The raised bands divide the spine into compartments ornamented with delicate gilt floral tooling, with “Greek Philosophy” lettered in gilt on a contrasting dark label. The marbled boards retain a wonderfully bold pattern in black, coral, cream, and ochre. Condition: Good + to Very Good. The binding remains tight and secure and the text pages are clean. Age-related toning and foxing to the preliminary leaves. The exterior shows rubbing and wear to the leather, particularly along the spine, joints, edges, and corners, with additional surface wear to the marbled boards, all consistent with a book approaching two centuries of age. Please refer closely to photographs for condition. 119pp. Size: 4 1/4” x 6 1/2” A handsome and increasingly difficult-to-find Pickering publication combining classical history, philosophy, early Victorian book design, and a highly decorative period binding.