THE BOOK OF THE NEW MORAL WORLD, Containing the Rational System of Society, Founded on Demonstrable Facts, Developing the Constitution and Laws of Human Nature and of Society [bound with] A DEVELOPMENT OF THE PRINCIPLES AND PLANS ON WHICH TO ESTABLISH SELF-SUPPORTING HOME COLONIES; As a Most Secure and Profitable Investment for Capital, and an Effectual Means Permanently to Remove the Causes of Ignorance, Poverty, and Crime; and most Materially to Benefit all Classes of Society; By Giving a Right Application to the Now Greatly Misdirected Powers of the Human Faculties, and of Physical and Moral Science with an AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED (ALS)

Two volumes bound in one in full brown leather with the original wraps of the first title bound in; viii, 264; xii, 160, [2] pages. Inserted in the text of the first part between pages 186 and 187 is a five-page handwritten SIGNED letter by Owen to John Campbell Smith whose signature dated "New York 1847" is on the verso of the title page of the first volume as well as on the verso of the title page of the second volume dated "London 1844." In the letter to Smith dated 1843, Owen talks about Smith as a member of the Central Board and refers to him as one of the pioneers "in the great cause of human emancipation from mental, moral & physical slavery; for if causes unknown to me induce you to think that you can obtain greater advantages on the other side of the Atlantic & that you expect to enjoy more happiness there than in this country, you may be right to try the experiment & I should equally rejoice to see the Rational System succeed in the United States as here, except that it is more required here to relieve the ignorance and starving destitution of the working class who are without the employment which they so anxiously desire." Much more content. Smith has underlined a number of passages in the first work, but especially important is the paragraph he highlights on page 187 that includes the following: "The victory is near at hand. It is already secured--there is a little band--insignificant in number, but they have shielded themselves in impenetrable armor--have cast all worldly consequences far away; lovers and worshippers of Truth, without admixture of error, they have no fear of man, or of what man can do against them." Below this paragraph in the bottom blank margin in a very small hand, Smith has written, in part: "It is a gratifying fact to me, to feel and know that I was one of that 'little band,' above referred to." Smith describes the tipped-in letter to him and states, "The first part of his THE BOOK OF THE NEW MORAL WORLD was all that had yet been given to the world when he wrote that letter to me and we, the members of 'The Central Board of the University Community Society of Rational Religionists,' were constantly urging him to finish and publish the rest of the work; because we were affraid [sic] that he would die and leave it unfinished." Smith SIGNED his name in full beneath this statement. Robert Owen was a founder of utopian socialism and the co-operative movement, best known for his creation of the experimental socialistic community at New Harmony, Indiana. He outlined his vision for the Utopian community at New Harmony before Congress and met with several former U.S. presidents including Jefferson and Monroe in what were perhaps the first official discussions of socialism in the Americas. Minor foxing, generally quite clean; binding is rubbed along the spine and edges but is firm and tight. Very Good with a wonderful letter.…