Beschreibung:

A New View of Society: or, Essays on the Principle of the Formation of the Human Character, and the Application of the Principle to Practice, 4 parts in one volume, 1st editions, London: for Cadell and Davies by Richard Taylor [parts 3 and 4 printed by Richard and Arthur Taylor and described as 'not published'], 1813-14, each part with separate title and pagination, 2 pages related manuscript notes before title and 5 pages at end, all written in a very neat and later hand (circa 1880), all edges gilt, moir� silk endpapers, contemporary blue straight-grained morocco, sides with double gilt fillet enclosing palmette scroll border, spine gilt in compartments, 8vo (145 x 230mm) In this landmark work Robert Owen laid down the principles which had guided his 'Lanark Experiment', in which he had immeasurably improved the living and working conditions of the workers at his New Lanark cotton mills. This copy is noted at the head of the manuscript notes as given by Owen to the philanthropist and Quaker William Allen (1770-1843), one of Owen's six partners in the New Lanark venture. The other investors were the philosopher Jeremy Bentham, plus John Walker Joseph Foster, Joseph Fox and Michael Gibbs. An important association copy and rare first editions of all four of Owen's most important essays, his first published works. In the essays Owen expounded the principles on which his system of educational philanthropy was based, his fundamental point being that man's character was based upon circumstances over which he had no control, and that it could be moulded by the right physical, moral and social influences. Collation: 23; vi, 39; xvi, 53; viii, 61pp. Loosely inserted and included with the lot is a small group of related items: an undated 2-page autograph letter signed from Robert Owen to General Lafayette (1757-1834), in which he begs to introduce Mrs Elizabeth Lewis & Miss Lewis the widowed sister and the niece of the late John Walker (1767-1824), often described as Owen's closest business associate; five engraved portraits of Robert Owen and three engraved views of New Lanark; two printed obituaries and four small cuttings. Provenance: by descent from the family of John Walker Goldsmiths' 20854; Kress B6194; PMM 271: ''the first practical statement of socialist doctrine''. (1)