THE FUTURE COMMONWEALTH, OR WHAT SAMUEL BALCOM SAW IN SOCIOLAND. New York: True Nationalist Publishing Company, 1892. Octavo, pp. [1-2] [i] ii-vi [1] 2-114 [115-120: ads], original light blue pictorial wrappers printed in black, side stapled. First edition. "Chavannes, a businessman alarmed by the growth of private monopolies, describes a commonwealth established by 'sociologists' in which the state carries out most of the business and profits are for the benefit of all. The basic principle on which this new commonwealth was founded was the belief that 'whatever promoted the general welfare would also promote personal happiness." - Lewis, Utopian Literature, p. 40. Chavannes' thesis is that "a righteous end sacrifices the means, and not as is taught among you that righteous means sanctify the end. And we further believe that, so far as man is concerned, an increase of his earthly happiness is a righteous end, approved by the laws of nature, and that all means which tend to accomplish that result are right and proper" (p. 9). "Anti-religious utopian novel (rare) describes an African colony established by a group of 'sociologists' who advocate a mixed economy (Nationalism and small scale capitalism), an elaborate apprentice system, and secular 'happiness' as life's only goal." - Roemer, The Obsolete Necessity, p. 192. Negley, Utopian Literature: A Bibliography 195. Rooney, Dreams and Visions: A Study of American Utopias, 1865-1917, p. 184. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, p. 93. Not in Wright, American Fiction 1976-1900. Tiny chips from three corners of front wrapper, most of the spine panel and all of the rear wrapper is missing, internally a fine copy. A rare book. (#160819).
Price: $450.00
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