£500
12mo, pp. xvi, 294, [2]. Contemporary calf, spine divided by raised bands between double gilt rules, red morocco label. Some minor spotting, fore-edge of first 10 leaves a little softened and worn. Some marks and light scratches, front flyleaf excised, joints a touch rubbed. Booklabel of John Stephens to front pastedown.
The second edition of Adam Ferguson's (1723-1816) second most important work (after his Essay on the History of Civil Society), a textbook based on his classroom lectures which was first published in 1769. It 'was successful in Britain, where it ran to three editions, and very successful in Germany and in Russia, where it became a favoured university text. Significantly, Ferguson's fame on the continent rested not on the Essay but on the Institutes' (ODNB).
