Bonhams 1793 : EDEN (FREDERIC MORTON) The State of the Poor: or, an History of the Labouring Classes in England, 3 vol., 1797

The State of the Poor: or, an History of the Labouring Classes in England, from the Conquest to the Present Period; In which are Particularly Considered, their Domestic Economy, with Respect to Diet, Dress, Fuel, and Habitation... together with Parochial Reports Relative to the Administration of Work-houses, and Houses of Industry; the State of Friendly Societies; and other Public Institutions; in several Agricultural, Commercial, and Manufacturing, Districts, 3 vol., volume 3 with the 'directions to the binder' leaf at end and folding 'Conversion table' in the appendix, without half-titles, blindstamp on several leaves, ink stamp on verso of titles (showing through to recto), contemporary calf, very worn, 2 covers detached [Goldsmiths 17107; Kress 3384; PMM 249], 4to, J. Davis, for B. & J. White, 1797

Sold for £525 inc. premium

Footnotes

The State of the Poor is "one of the classical works in the history of economics... [and] has proved the basis of sociological investigation ever since" (PMM). Eden investigated the effect that high prices had on the living conditions of the poorer classes, visiting many parishes himself and providing a devastating description of the conditions in which many lived, backed by an "invaluable collection of facts... which can never cease to be of importance".

Category: Books / Books, Maps and Manuscripts

Auction terms and conditions