Auction Name: 2025 December 15 Rare Books Signature® Auction

Lot Number: 45158

Shortcut to Lot: HA.com/6323*45158

[Benjamin Rush]. An Enquiry into the Effects of Public Punishment Upon Criminals, and Upon Society. Read in the Society for Promoting Political Enquiries, Convened at the House of His Excellency Benjamin Franklin, Esquire, in Philadelphia, March 9th, 1787. Philadelphia: Joseph James, 1787.

8vo (in fours). 18 pages. Modern mustard yellow cloth.

FIRST EDITION. PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED BY THE PRINTER on the title page: "To James Hamton from Jos. Jam[es]." Sabin notes this pamphlet has also been attributed to James Ramsay, though a similarly titled pamphlet, authored by Rush, was published in New York in 1816. RARE, we can trace no other copies at auction.

James Hamton (1764-1792) was a Quaker and educator, living in and around Philadelphia for his short life. Joseph James (1755-1830) was a printer working in Philadelphia, and, like Hamton, was also a Quaker. It appears that his father, Abel James, was a wealthy merchant, Quaker leader, member of the American Philosophical Society, and personal friend of Benjamin Franklin. It is likely through this connection that his son Joseph James came to print the present pamphlet.

Condition: Fore-margin apparently trimmed, affecting part of the inscription; top margin seemingly closely shaved as well. Pale staining to title page; a few pale spots throughout.

References: Evans 20689; Sabin 67712 (Ramsay); Sabin 74215 (Rush). Not in Howes.

Provenance: James Hamton (presentation inscription).

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