Justin Croft Antiquarian Books : RICHMOND, Alexander Bailey. - Narrative of the condition of the manufacturing population; and the proceedings of government which led to the state tr...

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INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

RICHMOND, Alexander Bailey. Narrative of the condition of the manufacturing population; and the proceedings of government which led to the state trials in Scotland, for administering unlawful oaths, and the suspension of the habeas corpus act, in 1817, with a detailed account of the system of espionage adopted at that period, in Glasgow and its neighborhood. Also, a summary of similar proceedings, in other parts of the country, to the execution of Thistlewood and others, for high treason, in 1820. London: for John Miller, 1824.

8vo (224 × 130 mm.), pp. [iv], 196. Uncut in original publisher’s drab boards, printed spine label. Slight wear with joints just starting. Early bookplate later covered with another plate, private ownership stamp to front free endpaper. An excellent, unsophisticated copy.

First edition of Richmond’s remarkable account of industrial unrest in the Scottish weaving trade. Though having spent much of his early life in Ireland, Richmond, a weaver, found himself at the heart of the Scottish weaving trade at a critical moment in industrial history. He was first accused of fomenting unrest among textile workers and later of being a government agent charged suppressing an alleged “reform” conspiracy. A duplicitous figure, Richmond had earlier been courted by Robert Owen who offered him a post of assistant schoolmaster at New Lanark, an offer retracted when Richmond’s political principles were found dubious. This work was reprinted in 1825.

Goldsmiths 24277; Kress C1327.

£500.00 (equal to approx. US$788.84* or €618.51* for 22 May 2012)

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