{... click on any photo to enlarge ...}
8vo (210 × 127mm.), pp. [iv], vii, [i], 269, [1], bound without advert leaf at end. Some foxing. Modern straight grain navy quarter morocco, red morocco label, navy cloth boards, marbled edges. A very good copy.
First published edition, which was originally printed in 1810, but withheld from publication due to its libellous content. Bentham's criticisms were aimed chiefly at English libel law and ironically resulted in a warning by Samuel Romilly that Bentham was at risk of being prosecuted by the very law he was criticising.
The advertisement to this edition recounts its controversial publishing history: "This work was printed many years ago. Circumstances prevented its being at that time exposed to sale. In regard to the Author, all that need be said is- that it was not by him that it was then kept back; and that it is not by him, or at his instance, that it is now put forth. If, on either accounts, it were desirable that the causes of its being thus long withheld should be brought to view, those causes would afford a striking illustration of the baneful influence of the principles and practices it is employed in unveiling, and presenting in their true colours."
The advertisement to this edition recounts its controversial publishing history: "This work was printed many years ago. Circumstances prevented its being at that time exposed to sale. In regard to the Author, all that need be said is- that it was not by him that it was then kept back; and that it is not by him, or at his instance, that it is now put forth. If, on either accounts, it were desirable that the causes of its being thus long withheld should be brought to view, those causes would afford a striking illustration of the baneful influence of the principles and practices it is employed in unveiling, and presenting in their true colours."
Chuo E1-2 (also lacking advert leaf); Goldsmiths’ 23530; not in Kress.
£400.00
