An Essay on the Principle of Population; or, a view of its past and present effects on human happiness; - 1817

London: John Murray, [Eden: London, J. Wright],, 1817 [Eden: 1800]. An excellent copy in contemporary calf Fourth edition of Malthus's Essay, first published in 1798, one of the most important and influential works in the history of economic thought, and the foundation text of modern demography. The second volume is appended with the first edition of Frederick Morton Eden's An Estimate of the Number of Inhabitants in Great Britain, an appropriate pairing by the contemporary owner - Eden's population census preceded the first national decennial population census by a year, but undershot the official figure by five million. It nonetheless marks, like Malthus's Essay, an important milestone in the study of population. Two works bound in two volumes, octavo (210 x 128 mm). Contemporary sprinkled calf, orange and dark green morocco labels, gilt in compartments, gilt roll border to covers, blind serrated turn-ins, marbled endpapers, brown speckled edges. Bound without half-titles. Contemporary ownership signature of Thomas Entwisle to title pages, later small ink notation to front free endpapers versos. Minor patch of abrasion to rear cover of vol. I, joints just beginning to split but holding firm, light browning to Eden else contents fresh. An excellent copy.