Drey BüCher Vom Rechte Des Krieges Und Des Friedens, Darinnen Das Recht Der Natur Und Der VöLcker [.] Grotius, Hugo. History, Law, Politics

4to (172 x 204 mm). (6), 84, (4), 1248, (40) pp. Title-page printed in red and black. With engraved portrait frontispiece. Contemporary blindstamped calf with gilt title to spine. Edges sprinkled red. First German edition of this epochal work, which gave birth to the doctrine of natural law and to international law. "His masterpiece, which made him famous throughout Europe . Grotius's principle of an immutable law . was the first expression of the 'droit naturel', the natural law which exercised the great political theorists of the 18th century, and is the foundation of modern international law" (PMM 125, for the Latin original edition, published in 1625). The famous preface by Christian Thomasius marks his farewell to Pietism and mysticism and provides a brief history of natural law (cf. Stintzing-L. III/1, notes 57). The frontispiece shows allegories of Justice, War, and Peace, encircling an oval portrait of the author. - Occasional quite insignificant brownstains; a very good and clean copy. - Ter Meulen/Diermanse 662. Cf. PMM 125.