Utopianism.- Spencer (Herbert) Social Statics: or, the Conditions essential to Human Happiness Specified, and the first of them Developed, first edition, initial advertisement f., half-title, 24pp. publisher's catalogue at end dated March 5th, 1851, some spotting, original cloth, rebacked, preserving original gilt backstrip, corners worn, rubbed, 8vo, 1851.

⁂ First edition of Spencer's first book, which 'reflected the strain of utopian radicalism in Spencer's thought inherited from his early background: it denied the legitimacy of private property in land, held out equality of the sexes as a moral ideal, and advocated the training of children by persuasion and rational argument rather than discipline and coercion' (ODNB).