Treatise on Political Economy; or the Production, Distribution, and Consumption of Wealth

Boston: Wells and Lilly, 1821. Hardcover. Translation by C.R. Prinsep. 8vo. Quarter calf with marbled paper over boards. lxxv, 332pp. Good plus. Text block tight and quite nice, though original boards quite edgeworn and age toned; inner hinges with old paper spine mend, thus tight; calf spine of later vintage, with title in gilt. A tight and nice first volume (only) of the scarce first U.S. edition of this influential economic treatise -- but a fine and unique association copy: Front flyleaf and title page each bear the bold ownership signature of Lewis W. Green (1806-63), a notable Presbyterian minister and educator whose college presidencies include Hampden-Sydney College (9th president, 1848-56), Transylvania University (8th president, 1856-58) and Centre College (4th president, 1858-63). Green entered Centre College, Kentucky at the young age of 16 in 1822 -- the very year he signed the title page of this volume, adding proudly, "Centre College April 1822" beneath. (Front flyleaf signature appears to have been added much later.) Green appears to have had this copy specially bound, instructing the binder to insert a blank leaf after every two text leaves so that he could fill them with his pencilled notes. Many leaves are blank, but many others are filled with his neatly pencilled scholarly jottings discussing Say's text -- clearly Green spent much time reading and analyzing this copy. Although this is volume one only of this two-volume set, it is an absolutely intriguing and obviously one-of-a-kind copy worthy of further research.