Books

. [IV],276p., pages 104-139 appear twice. Modern full calf, gilt back with gilt-lettered red label, new endpapers. Mild browning as may be expected, the last pages somewhat heavier with some brown spots. Some neat underlining in red, mostly limited to the glosses of the last essay. First edition of this collection of Petty's essays, rare complete with the general title, apparently lacking in many copies, and all six divisional titles. It includes his seminal essay Political arithmetick', first published in 1690. The term political arithmetick' was coined by Petty to describe the application of statistical data for economic theory and policy, or in the words of his follower Charles Davenant the art of reasoning by figures upon things relating to government'. It has therefore been seen as a pioneering work in the science of econometrics.The essays are the following:An essay concerning the multiplication of mankind: together with another essay in political arithmetick, concerning the growth of the city of London: with the measures, periods, causes, and consequences thereof. The third edition, revised and enlarged, 1698. Further observations upon the Dublin Bills: or accompts of the houses, hearths, baptisms, and burials in that city. The third edition corrrected and enlarged, 1698. Two essays in political arithmetick, concerning the people, housing, hospitals, &c. of London and Paris, 1699. Observations upon the cities of London and Rome. The second edition corrrected, 1699. Five essays in political arithmetic, 1699. Political arithmetick, or a discourse concerning the extent and value of lands people, buildings . 1699. The Five essays' has the English text printed on rectos and a French translation on versos, with duplicate pagination. The fives essays are the following: Objections from the city of Rey in Persia, and from Mons. Auzout, against two former essays, answered, and that London hath as many people as Paris, Rome and Rouen put together, A comparison between London and Paris in 14 particulars, Proofs that at London, within its 134 parishes named in the Bills of mortality, there live about 696 thousand people, An estimate of the people in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Venice, Rome, Dublin, Bristol and Rouen, with several observations upon the same. Concerning Holland and the rest of the seven United Provinces.*Keynes 46. Kress 2127. Goldsmiths' 3571. Wing P1937.

The Political Arithmetick is known for its early use of statistical data and analysis to understand the economy.