HUME, David.

Essays and Treatises on Several Subjects: Containing Political Discourses.

David Hume's Essays and Treatises on Several Subjects; signed twice by him

London: Printed for A. Millar, in the Strand; and A. Kincaid and A. Donaldson, in Edinburgh, 1754.

$20,000.00

Out of Stock Item Number: RRB-148835

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Finely bound example of the fourth volume of Hume's famed essays and treatises on Enlightenment political and economic thought. Duodecimo, bound in full contemporary calf with titles stamped in blind in six compartments within raised bands, gilt turn-ins, all edges speckled red, third edition. Signed by David Hume on the verso of the front free endpaper facing the title page and again on a clipped piece of paper adhered to the title page. In very good condition with toning and wear, reattached. Previous owner contemporary manuscript notes on endpapers. Ownership plate to the front pastedown. Housed in a custom full brown morocco clamshell box. Exceptionally rare and desirable.

David Hume (1711–1776) was a central figure of the Scottish Enlightenment whose contributions to philosophy, history, and political economy have had lasting influence. Best known for his empirical skepticism and rigorous analysis of human understanding, particularly in A Treatise of Human Nature and An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Hume challenged notions of causality, personal identity, and religious belief. 'Essays and Treatises on Several Subjects,' particularly the volume containing Political Discourses (first published in 1752), marks a significant contribution to Enlightenment political economy and philosophy. In these essays, Hume explores topics such as commerce, luxury, money, and balance of trade with a pragmatic and empiricist approach that challenged both mercantilist orthodoxy and classical republicanism. His argument that economic prosperity fosters liberty and refinement, rather than moral decay, prefigures aspects of modern liberal thought.