THE REVOLT OF THE BEES. London: Printed for Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green ..., 1826. Octavo, pp. [i-ii], [1] 2-272, engraved frontispiece with illustration by Robert Wallis after Henry Corbould precedes title leaf, engraved tailpiece on page 272, original boards, printed paper label affixed to spine panel, all edges untrimmed. First edition, large paper issue. "THE REVOLT is one of two works of philosophically inclined fiction (the other being his HAMPDEN IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY [2 volumes, 1834]), in which Morgan takes up the central themes of Owenite socialism, including the advantages of social equality; the desirability of living in small-scale communities; the need to balance agricultural with industrial labor among the working classes; philosophical necessitarianism; the advantages of community of property; and a more liberal attitude towards marriage. The setting is a cooperative colony of bees existing in the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh." John Minter Morgan (1782-1854) "was the son of a stationer who became an early adherent to the views of Robert Owen, and remained a philanthropist devoted to 'home colonies' throughout his life. He was also the author of REMARKS ON THE PRACTICABILITY OF MR. OWEN'S PLAN (1819), another major Owenite work of fiction, HAMPDEN IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY (2 volumes, 1834), and other works. The primary context for reading THE REVOLT is the works of Robert Owen, notably the REPORT TO THE COUNTY OF LANARK (1820) ... [Morgan] subscribed in outline to the main tenets of Owen's system ... [but] remains more circumspect in his view of Christianity than Owen, and after the collapse of the Owenite community at Queenswood in 1845 would continue to urge the need for a Christian basis for any future communitarian experiments." - Fortunati and Trousson (eds), Dictionary of Literary Utopias, pp. 533-34. Lewis, Utopian Literature, p. 134. Negley, Utopian Literature: A Bibliography 814. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, p. 39. Bleiler (1978), p. 143. Reginald 10373. Wolff 4906. Goldsmith 25138. Kress C.2594 (citing the 1830 second edition). Binding worn and soiled, scattered foxing throughout as is usually the case, a very good copy. The first edition is uncommon, especially in the original boards. (#157086).
Price: $1,000.00
No statement of printing. 1830 second edition so marked.