19th Dec, 2018 10:30 GMT/BST

Books, Maps & Ephemera

 
Lot 27
 

27

[Maillet (Benoit de)] Telliamed, or Discourses between an Indian Philosopher and a French...

[Maillet (Benoit de)]
Telliamed, or Discourses between an Indian Philosopher and a French Missionary. Printed for T. Osborne, in Gray's-Inn, 1750. 8vo, contemporary full calf, sometime rebacked, spine with morocco lettering piece, green silk marker; pp. lii, 284 (pp. ix+x later facsimile); provenance: Peter W. Reynolds, e. Coll. Jesu Oxoniensis (ink owner's inscription upper pastedown, mss annotations throughout (some later)). First English translated edition.
De Maillet was a diplomat and natural historian, born into a noble French Catholic family. He made his mark on the history of science with his geological observations, which led him to believe that the Earth was far older than suggested by the Biblical study of the time, and further led him to form an evolutionary hypothesis to explain the origins of man. His theories, controversial as they were, led him to conceal them beneath the veneer of fiction and imaginary discourse. They were still only published after his death, because of the fiddling editing of Jean Baptiste de Mascrier, who spent a decade attempting to bring de Maillet's theories within the dogma of the Church. As a result of this, no early edition of the work is entirely reflective of de Maillet's thinking, though what remains is still striking.

The book is presented as a series of discussions between a Missionary and an "Indian" philosopher. De Maillet loosely veils the work by using his name backwards for the philosopher and dedicating the work to Cyrano de Bergerac, specifically as the author of imaginary travels to the Moon - important given Telliamed's references to other inhabited globes. Science has moved on since de Maillet's work, and there are many criticisms of his theories, especially his use of sea level as a geological clock. The importance of the work is in his willingness to challenge an accepted paradigm, working from his own observations towards a new theory. He was a proto-evolutionist, if on the wrong track, and, like Wilkins and de Fontanelle, proposed ideas of life on other planets. He sought to age the Earth, taking on long-held beliefs about it is origins. Most of all he sought to take dogma out of science, his Indian alter-ego advises the Missionary "You have learned to doubt, and every Man who can do so, has a great Advantage over him who believes implicitly, and without taking the Trouble to examine." This advice may have been aimed at his co-religionists but is still relevant for all closed-minded approaches to science - and indeed all areas of life, more so, perhaps, than ever.
Not Sold

 

Some spotting and foxing internally, and ink mss notes in later hand, but a very good copy of a significant work of early popular science.

 


We are happy to provide Condition Reports to prospective buyers, but would welcome your request as soon as possible, preferably at least 48 hours before the Day of Sale. We cannot guarantee a reply to any requests made within 48 hours of the start of the auction. The absence of a Condition Report from a lot does not mean that the lot is in perfect condition. A Condition Report is an honest expression of our opinion, not a statement of fact and is provided as a service to the seller. All lots are available on public view ahead of an auction and we encourage prospective buyers to inspect an item in person where possible. Our Condition Reports are not prepared by professional conservators, restorers, or engineers, and are prepared with the naked eye unless otherwise stated.

Regarding Pictures, Prints and Works on Paper, works are not examined out of the frame, unless specifically stated. Tennants Auctioneers do not cover damage to gilded wood or plaster picture frames, or to picture frame glass whilst the item is in our possession.

We accept no liability for the opinions expressed in any Condition Report.

Auction: Books, Maps & Ephemera, 19th Dec, 2018

Books, Maps & Ephemera

View all lots in this sale

Sell one like this

If you've got a similar item to sell, complete the valuation form below and one of our experts will get in touch. 

YOUR DETAILS

ITEM DETAILS

Upload images

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.


CONFIRM & SUBMIT