Conversations on Political Economy; in which the Elements of that Science are Familiarly Explained by [Marcet, Jane Haldimand] - 1817

Philadelphia: Published by Moses Thomas, J. Maxwell, Printer, 1817. First American edition. [iii]-ix, [3], 393pp. 12mo. Contemporary half calf and marbled boards, spine gilt, some wear to spine. Provenance: DeWitt Clinton (signature); Benjamin Rush Wendell (signature). First American edition. [iii]-ix, [3], 393pp. 12mo. Jane Marcet [née Haldimand] (1769-1858) was born in London to Swiss parents. She was a prolific and influential author of books on science and political economy. Taking the format of a dialogue between a female teacher and pupil, the two explore the concepts of capital, labour, property, commerce and money, in a casual conversational style readily understandable by the book's youthful audience. Marcet's work proved highly popular, undergoing numerous editions and helping to popularise the study of economics. Macaulay wrote that "every girl who has read Mrs. Marcet's little dialogues on political economy could teach Montagu or Walpole many lessons in finance." The first American edition is scarce. Shaw 41345