First edition in English of Aristotle's Politics and essentially the earliest obtainable English language printing of Aristotle. Aristotle's influence upon philosophical thought, even to this day, cannot be overstated. His clear vision, forged in the Athenian agora, pierced the haze of the Dark Ages and into the Renaissance. Printing and the Mind of Man notes that "Aristotle is not only one of the great classical philosophers, the master of every branch of ancient knowledge: his method still underlies all modern thinking..." This English language edition of Politics was of great import, as the first tremors of self-government were beginning to shake England from monarchic absolutism. This copy lacking the first and final leaves, both blanks. Ink ownership signature of W. Minchin, Sept. 27, 1796, to top of title-page. Armorial bookplate of Sir James Mackintosh. STC 760.