£2,500
FIRST EDITION, 8vo, pp. xvi, [viii], 368. Modern full leather, spine divided by raised bands, red morocco label to spine, other compartments tooled in gilt, edges sprinkled red. Somewhat soiled and foxed, paper flaw to margin of one leaf.
Defoe's substantial treatise on economics and the British state is both an overview of the contemporary situation and a manifesto for improvement. Arguing that 'Trade is the Foundation of Wealth, and Wealth of Power,' it makes the case for trade to be considered an important tool of statecraft. In modern times Defoe has been acclaimed as 'the world's first great financial journalist,' and critical interest in his economic work is growing.
