Enquiry concerning the Principles of Morals

London: Printed for A. Millar, 1751. An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals. Printed for A. Millar, London: 1751.

First edition, first issue, with L3 in the uncancelled state with the catchword "than". Twelvemo (6 1/2 x 3 7/8 inches; 166 x 100 mm). [viii], 253, [3 ads] pp. With errata leaf.

Early nineteenth century half calf over marbled boards. Rebacked to style. Red morocco spine label, lettered in gilt. Top edge dyed brown. Page 19 with paper-flaw, affecting a few letters. A repair of a closed tear to the top of page 119, touching some letters, but with no loss. Closed tear two leaves, pp 193-196, touching a couple of letters, but with no loss. Overall a very good copy.

Hume wrote of the Enquiry: "of all my writings...incomparably the best. It came unnoticed and unobserved into the world" (Autobiography, p. 16, quoted in Rothschild).

"Soon after leaving Edinburgh University at the age of 15, [Hume (1711- 1776)]... embarked on a course of intense study of his own devising, which eventually led to the formulation of a complete philosophical system, published anonymously in 1739 as A Treatise of Human Nature. Hume was deeply disappointed at the reception of his revolutionary book...Blaming his own literary inexperience, Hume published anonymously in 1740 An Abstract of a Treatise of Human Nature and in 1748 and 1751 respectively Philosophical Essays concerning the Human Understanding and An Enquiry concerning the Principles of Morals. Philosophical Essays was retitled An Enquiry concerning the Human Understanding in a 1758 edition...In his advertisement to a later edition of the two Enquiries, Hume expressly desired that they and not the Treatise should be ‘regarded as containing his philosophical sentiments and principles.' The Enquiries differ from the Treatise in style, in the omission of a number of elaborate psychological speculations, particularly concerning space, time, and sense perception, and in the inclusion of chapters on miracles, providence, and the theological implications of the free-will problem, all of which Hume had omitted from the Treatise because of their openly antireligious tendency" (The Encyclopedia of Philosophy).

Jessop, p. 22. Rothschild 1174.

HBS 68396.

$8,500.