signed
by BENJAMIN FLOWER
BENJAMIN FLOWER (1755-1829). Flower was a journalist, publisher, and political commentator known for his controversial views. A supporter of republicanism abroad, but not at home, he opposed Britain’s role in the Napoleonic Wars and was jailed six months for criticism in his newspaper against a bishop. ALS. 2 pg. 8” x 10”. October 11, 1800. Cambridge. An autographed letter signed by “B Flower” to “Gentlm”: “I will thank you to find me Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations 3V. bds. Send them directly to Crosby & Litterman’s Hatoners Court indicated for me. If you do not favour me with any Adverts I will order your payment for the above, but I am sure it would be for your Advantage occasionally to advertise in my paper. I would take the whole out in brooks. You will charge me the lowest Trade Price”. Included is an envelope indicating that this letter was sent to Cadell & Davies, a publishing company established in London in 1793 by Thomas Cadell, a successful 18th century book publisher, and his apprentice, William Davies. Adam Smith published The Wealth of Nations in 1776, a magnum opus that pioneered the modern study of economics. In reflecting upon economics at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the book introduced concepts like division of labor, productivity, and free markets and discussions on how nations build wealth. In 1800, the conservative British newspaper The Anti-Jacobin Review issued a blistering editorial against the book, to which Flower, in asking for a copy of the book, was likely going to respond to in his paper, the Cambridge Intelligencer. Given that his paper relied on advertisements, Flower had no qualms about using this request to also solicit financial support from the publishers. A transcription is included and the letter and envelope are in fine condition with light spotting. (Inventory #: 5884)