System of Logic, Ratiocinative and Inductive

MILL, John Stuart. A System of Logic, Ratiocinative and Inductive, Being a Connected View of the Principles of Evidence, and the Methods of Scientific Investigation. London: John W. Parker, 1843. Two volumes. Octavo, publisher's original half cloth, original paper spine labels, uncut. $13,500.First edition of a classic text on logic by John Stuart MillÑ"Britain's most important philosopher in the 19th century"Ñone of only 750 copies printed, in the publisher's original cloth and paper boards."The statement that John Stuart Mill was Britain's most important philosopher in the 19th century looks like a bold assertion, but in fact it should not be even mildly controversialÉ Mill has no serious rivals" (Dictionary of 19th-Century Philosophers II:792). One of Mill's most important works, System of Logic is "the first major installment of his comprehensive restatement of an empiricist and utilitarian position" (Encyclopedia of Philosophy), setting forth "the fundamentals of the human or 'moral' sciences" (Mander & Sell, 794). "The book had a rapid success, beyond the expectations of its author, and was for many years the standard authority with all who took his side in the main philosophical questions. Mill, in fact, was recognized as the great leader of the empirical as opposed to what he called the intuitional school; and few men have had a more marked influence upon the rising intellect of the time" (DNB). System of Logic "ran through many editions, established [Mill's] philosophical reputation, and greatly influenced Venn, John Neville Keynes, Frege and Bertrand Russell" (Magnusson, 1013). When publisher John Parker accepted Mill's manuscript in 1842, "suggesting an edition of 750 copies at his own risk and half-profit, Mill was delighted." He wrote Parker: "With respect to your very handsome offer of half profit, my feeling is that if I were to take advantage of your liberality in any manner, the shape in which I should most like to do so would be by a certain latitude in giving away copiesÑchiefly to foreigners or persons who would not be likely to buy the bookÉ I have not in view any alarming number, some 25 or 30 copies being as far as I can now judge" (Robson, Introduction, Collected Works VII). Bound with four pages of publisher's advertisements at the front of each volume. Inked owner name dated 1843.Light foxing to first and last few leaves; bindings moderately rubbed, spines toned, joints starting but holding. A very good copy, scarce and desirable in the original bindings.…