The first appearance of these works in print or English translation. The first major posthumous publication of Locke's works, containing an important unfinished 'Fourth Letter' on toleration, the first publication of his essay on the Conduct of the Understanding, and the first edition in English of Locke's biography of his great patron, the first Earl of Shaftesbury. All works either the first appearance in print, or first in English translation.

The Conduct was originally written to form a new chapter in a revised edition of Locke's Essay Concerning Human Understanding, but was unfinished by the time of his death in 1704. 'The "Conduct" proved especially popular and was separately reprinted at least nine times before 1800' (Yolton). Also of note is the first appearance in English of Locke's pedagogical work on his New Method of a Common-Place-Book, originally published in French in the Bibliothèque universelle in 1686, and the first publication of Locke's work on the definition of Miracles, written in 1702.

The collection was put together by Locke's literary executors, Anthony Collins and Peter King, his cousin, whom Locke encouraged in his legal career, becoming almost a second father to him as he introduced King to his London circle of acquaintances which included Whig grandees, judges, Isaac Newton, and the Lord Chancellor. 'In return King carried out Locke's business in the capital, especially the management of his financial affairs' (ODNB).

First edition, all first printings or first editions in English; 8vo (20.5 x 13 cm); pp312-313 ('New Method of a Common-Place-Book') vertical columns printed in red, hinges strengthened at pastedowns; contemporary panelled speckled calf, old paper label to spine, joints neatly repaired, small loss to head cap, corners slightly bumped, minor wear, very good; [4], 336pp.

ESTC T148785; Yolton 299; Pforzheimer 609.