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First edition in English, laying the foundations of modern insurance in England, being a substantially enlarged and revised version of the original German text (Versuch über Assecuranzen, Hamburg, 1753). Nicolaus Magens was a German merchant who lived for many years in England and gained a great reputation in commercial matters. His Universal Merchant (1753) showed a deep insight into trade mechanisms and was highly esteemed by Adam Smith; The Wealth of Nations contains six substantial direct and indirect references to the work. The Essay on Insurances was printed by Johann Haberkorn, who had set up London's first German press in 1749. Wide-ranging, it details the nature of insurance, the laws and foreign treatises affecting it, and an evaluation of its profitability. London was then the centre of insurance in Europe, and the edition was soon established as a central text in the trade. Two vols, quarto (264 x 199 mm). Contemporary calf, skilfully rebacked and recornered, black spine labels, red speckled edges. 19th-century bookplate of the Gaddesden Library to front pastedowns. Bound without initial blank in vol. I. Sporadic light foxing and finger-soiling; a very good copy. ESTC T98888; Goldsmiths' 9045; Higgs 975; Kress 5453.

Published in 1755, the work is a detailed study of the principles of insurance, covering topics such as marine insurance, risk, and contracts. It also includes case studies and examples of insurance practices of the time, making it one of the earliest comprehensive texts on the subject of insurance. Magens' work was highly regarded for its practical insights into insurance and its role in commerce, particularly in the 18th century