{... click on any photo to enlarge ...}
2 vols. in 1, 8vo (210 × 126 mm.), pp. [iv], xxix, [i] errata, 281, [1]; [iv], ix, [i], 279, [3], with frontispiece portrait. First few leaves slightly foxed, with some offsetting of portrait to title. Contemporary straight grain navy calf, rebacked, labelled "Bentham's Works" and "Morals and Legislation", marbled edges. Some abrasion to sides. Armorial bookplate (Nathaniel Lindley). A good copy.
Second edition. One of Bentham's best known and most influential works, in which he famously argued that the object of all legislation should be "the Greatest Happiness of the Greatest number". Undoubtedly a sound - if simplistic - principle, Bentham's argument was a significant departure from the prevailing self-serving promotion of the interests of the ruling classes.
"Originally written to be a part of the Elements of Critical Jurisprudence or the Principles of Legal Polity, and a little later intended for the introduction to the Plan of a Penal Code. It was printed separately in 1780 and published as late as 1789 with a number of corrigenda, addenda and supplementary notes." (Chuo, p.79).
"Originally written to be a part of the Elements of Critical Jurisprudence or the Principles of Legal Polity, and a little later intended for the introduction to the Plan of a Penal Code. It was printed separately in 1780 and published as late as 1789 with a number of corrigenda, addenda and supplementary notes." (Chuo, p.79).
Chuo I2-2b; Goldsmiths’ 23712; Kress C.1018; PMM 237 (first edition 1789).
£800.00
