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Seventh edition, expanded from the first of 1761, of what is generally considered the first guide to the stock exchange, based on the author's own experience of losing "a genteel fortune" in 1756. Thomas Mortimer (1730-1810) was one of the earliest experts on the operation of the stock exchange established in the coffee-house of London's Change Alley. Every Man his Own Broker is a practical guide for would-be speculators, warning about the dangers of getting involved with brokers and offering insight into the financial world of mid-18th-century London. Mortimer was the first to write about the terms "bear" and "bull" markets. The book proved popular, with 14 editions published within 40 years. Bound with two related works: i) COYER, Gabriel François, abbé. La noblesse commerçante. A Londres [though printed on the continent]: chez Fletcher Gyles, 1756. One of several editions of 1756, published surreptitiously. Coyer argued that, as successful French merchants were rewarded with titles of nobility and the sinecures of high office, the economy was robbed of the very activity that had won them honours. Asserting that the royal absolutist system thus transformed the nobility into an idle class with no political, economic, or military function, at odds with the dynamism of modern commercial society, Coyer recommended noble participation in maritime, wholesale, and even retail trade to help France compete with economically more advanced states such Seventh edition, expanded from the first of 1761, of what is generally considered the first guide to the stock exchange, based on the author's own experience of losing "a genteel fortune" in 1756. Thomas Mortimer (1730-1810) was one of the earliest experts on the operation of the stock exchange established in the coffee-house of London's Change Alley. Every Man his Own Broker is a practical guide for would-be speculators, warning about the dangers of getting involved with brokers and offering insight into the financial world of mid-18th-century London. Mortimer was the first to write about the terms "bear" and "bull" markets. The book proved popular, with 14 editions published within 40 years. Bound with two related works: i) COYER, Gabriel François, abbé. La noblesse commerçante. A Londres [though printed on the continent]: chez Fletcher Gyles, 1756. One of several editions of 1756, published surreptitiously. Coyer argued that, as successful French merchants were rewarded with titles of nobility and the sinecures of high office, the economy was robbed of the very activity that had won them honours. Asserting that the royal absolutist system thus transformed the nobility into an idle class with no political, economic, or military function, at odds with the dynamism of modern commercial society, Coyer recommended noble participation in maritime, wholesale, and even retail trade to help France compete with economically more advanced states such as England and Holland. Montesquieu had been rigid in his refutation of noble trade in his Spirit of the Laws (1748) and Coyer's severe attack on his position roused heated controversies in Paris and beyond. The work was both popular - this one of several editions published in quick succession - and controversial, with no less than 16 responses appearing in the year following publication. ii) Lettere sopra lo studio del commercio. Venice: Nella Stamperia Baglioni, 1770. First edition of a series of six letters on commerce, treating of studying the literature on trade, studying the trade laws of foreign nations, and the usefulness of trade in general. READ MORE Bound second in a single vol. containing three works, octavo (165 x 93 mm). Contemporary half calf, red morocco label ("Miscellanies"), marbled sides, speckled edges. With folding plate. Bookplate of Michael Kearney (1734-1814), professor of history and law at Trinity College Dublin, to front pastedown. Bound without half-title. Light wear to binding and splitting to joints, but holding firm, offsetting from turn-ins, slight separation in gutter between first and second work, contents clean and fresh. Very good. ESTC T87415.

A classic financial guide aimed at helping individuals navigate the stock market independently, without relying on professional brokers. At a time when financial markets were expanding and public interest in investing was growing, particularly in London's stock exchange, Mortimer's book became popular. The book offers practical advice on how to buy and sell stocks, avoid common mistakes, and understand the stock exchange's basic workings. Mortimer's goal was to educate everyday people on how to engage in trading without falling into the traps of brokers' commissions and potential manipulation. The language and explanations are accessible, designed for those with no prior knowledge of financial markets. Mortimer discusses essential concepts like market fluctuations, speculation, and even insider trading, issues still relevant in today's markets. A central theme of the book is Mortimer's criticism of brokers. He accuses many brokers of using unethical practices to benefit themselves rather than their clients. As a result, he advocates for individuals to take control of their own investments, educating themselves on market operations so that they don't have to rely on professionals whose interests may not align with their own. Although the book is over 250 years old, it provides a historical perspective on the development of financial markets and some timeless lessons on investing. While the specific advice may no longer apply to today's highly regulated and complex financial world, the core message of being skeptical of intermediaries and the importance of financial self-education is still relevant. For those interested in the history of finance, *Every Man His Own Broker* offers a unique insight into the early days of stock trading. For modern investors, it serves as a reminder of the importance of personal financial literacy and the enduring challenges faced by individuals trying to navigate the complexities of the market.