Books

London: John W. Parker and Son, 1859. First edition. Very Good +. Octavo; collates: 207, [1, colophon]; complete (this copy bound without the 16 pages of publisher's ads found in some copies). A handsome Very Good+ copy in the publisher's original bindstamped purple cloth with orange-coated end papers. Dampstain affecting the fore-edge of the front and rear boards, text leaves unaffected. Minor wear at the spine ends. Internal contents generally clean with the odd smudge or turned corner. Housed in a quarter-leather custom clamshell case. An extremely influential work in political philosophy and the foundation for all branches of liberalism. The author argues that "over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign." An extension of which is the harm principle, first outlined in this work: "the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others." One conclusion of…