“NOTHING CAN BE OF SO MUCH CONSEQUENCE TO US AS LIBERTY”

(AMERICAN REVOLUTION) PRICE, Richard. Observations on the Nature of Civil Liberty, The Principles of Government, and the Justice and Policy of the War in America. London: Printed for Edward and Charles Dilly, and Thomas Cadell, 1776 [i.e. 1777]. Slim octavo, modern full navy straight-grain morocco gilt, raised bands, renewed endpapers, uncut, top edge gilt; pp. [1-5], 6-48. $1200.

Scarce 1777 edition, issued only one year after the first edition of Price’s powerfully influential British defense of the American revolution, a work of crucial importance in “determining the Americans to declare their independence” (DNB), handsomely bound by Sangorski & Sutcliffe.

A close friend of Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, Richard Price "was the most influential British advocate of American independence" (Howes P586). His Observations on the Nature of Civil Liberty stands as the most important writing by an Englishman sympathetic to the American cause, for "the encouragement derived from this book had no inconsiderable share in determining the Americans to declare their independence" (DNB). Here Price presents "four different kinds of liberty—physical, moral, religious and civil—arguing that the central idea running through them all is self-government…. His enthusiasm for the American Revolution derived from his seeing it as the expression of these ideas" (Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 678). Price foresees that America will establish "a plan of government, and a growing power that shall astonish the world, and under which every subject of human enquiry shall be open to free discussion, and the friends of Liberty, in every quarter of the globe, find a safe retreat from civil and spiritual tyranny." This powerful work had a significant effect on America's resolve to secure self-government. In 1778 Price was offered the singular honor of United States citizenship, and "in recognition of his services in the cause of liberty, Dr. Price was presented with the freedom of the city of London" (DNB). Stated "Ninth Edition": preceded by the 1776 first edition. This Dilly edition issued with "the same imprint and collation" as the Dilly "Seventh Edition," which was advertised in London in February 1777 (Adams 76-118j). As issued without half title. Adams 76-118k. Adams, American Independence 224k. ESTC T12967. Howes P586. Kress 7245. See Adams 76-118a; Adams, American Independence 224a; Sabin 65462; Goldsmiths 11512; Sowerby 2994, 3109. Bookplate.

Text generally fresh with light scattered foxing, minor edge-wear to leaves. A handsomely bound extremely good copy.