A New Discourse of Trade,: wherein are Recommended several weighty Points relating to Companies of Merchants; The Act of Navigation, Naturalization of Strangers, and our Woollen Manufactures. The Balance of Trade, and the Nature of Plantations; with their Consequences in relation t

London: J. Hodges, W. Meadows [& 4 others],, [1740?]. First published in 1690 as A Discourse about Trade by Sir Josiah Child (c. 1631 - 1699), economic writer and merchant. "In 1690 he published under his own name the comprehensive Discourse about Trade, which included his Proposals for the Relief and Employment of the Poor, which had appeared earlier as an undated pamphlet. This work was reprinted in 1693 under the title A New Discourse on Trade to coincide with a new attempt in parliament to reduce the legal maximum rate of interest... Child acquired considerable fame as an economic writer in his own day and was both widely read and frequently quoted. His works were reprinted continuously during the eighteenth century and published in French in 1754. He exerted influence because of his fluent and persuasive pen, his debating skills, and his obvious success in and experience of business" (ODNB). As Geoffrey Poitras notes "Child is another of the truly remarkable individuals populating the early history of financial economics. Child has some status as a noteworthy, pre-Smithian economist... His status as Governor of the East India Company was matched by his stock trading acumen" (The Early History of Financial Economics, 1478-1776, 2000, p. 322). Octavo (162 x 95 mm). Contemporary mottled sheep, double gilt rule on sides and spine, dark red morocco label, red speckled edges. Duplicate gathering of signature G (pp 99-122) bound in; with the terminal advertisement leaf not cited by Kress. Large library stamp of "Bond" on front free endpaper. Binding somewhat worn, joints cracked but cords holding, with some loss of leather. An attractive sound copy, clean and with good margins, in a period binding. Goldsmiths' 7762; Kress 4492.