Books

Scarce First Edition in the complete original binding. Bound in the publisher vertically ribbed brown cloth with blind-stamped rectangles decorating the edges of the front and rear boards. With bright gilt stamping on the spine: "On/ Liberty./ J.S. Mill./ John W. Parker". Heavy chipping and wear with some loss to the top and bottom of the spine ends. Light rubbing, wear along the spine edges. Some discoloration along 1" of the front and rear edges of the boards. Corners bumped. Internally very clean and tight. With crisp terra-cotta endpapers. Printed on heavy stock, the whiteness of which sings with vintage crispness. Some pages are unopened. Apparently, this volume was never read. With the 16-page pamphlet/catalogue of "Standard Books" published by John W. Parker and Son bound in at the end of the book. The catalogue is printed in a smaller format than the book and sits nestled quite unobtrusively between the last page of the text and the rear endpaper. A pleasant volume glowing with the patina of time. A scarce first edition in internally splendid condition of Mill's classic work on Utilitarianism and democratic principles. On Liberty is a philosophical essay by the English philosopher John Stuart Mill. Published in 1859, it applies Mill's ethical system of utilitarianism to society and state. Mill suggests standards for the relationship between authority and liberty. He emphasizes the importance of individuality, which he considers prerequisite to the higher pleasures, the summum bonum of utilitarianism. Furthermore, Mill asserts that democratic ideals may result in the tyranny of the majority. Among the standards proposed are Mill's three basic liberties of individuals, his three legitimate objections to government intervention, and his two maxims regarding the relationship of the individual to society. On Liberty was a greatly influential and well-received work. Some classical liberals and libertarians have criticized it for its apparent discontinuity with Utilitarianism, and vagueness in defining the arena within which individuals can contest government infringements on their personal freedom of action. The ideas presented in On Liberty have remained the basis of much political thought. It has remained in print since its initial publication. A copy of On Liberty is passed to the president of the British Liberal Democrats as a symbol of office. Mill's marriage to Harriet Taylor Mill greatly influenced the concepts in On Liberty, which was published shortly after she died. (Wikipedia) First Edition 1859 with [The Right of Translation is Reserved] on the copyright page.