Difference between revisions of "Universal Dictionary of Trade and Commerce"

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''The Universal Dictionary of Trade and Commerce''}}
 
===by Malachy Postlethwayt===
 
===by Malachy Postlethwayt===
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<blockquote> In addition to his government work Postlethwayt devoted much of the 1740s and 1750s to the preparation of his major work, The Universal Dictionary, which appeared in instalments between 1751 and 1755 and subsequently as a two-volume work (1757; 4th edn, 1774). This has been described as an amplified and Anglicized version of the Dictionnaire universal de commerce (written largely by Jacques Savary des Brulons), the extent of the departures reflecting Postlethwayt's ‘greater interest in political problems; his more intense economic nationalism; and his exuberant belief in the economic usefulness of experimental philosophy’ (Johnson, 187–8, 402). More specifically, the penultimate sentence of the dictionary's introduction conveyed Postlethwayt's intentions concisely:
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|imagename=PostlethwaytDictionary1766v1.jpg
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|link=https://wm.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01COWM_INST/g9pr7p/alma991016952939703196
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|shorttitle=The Universal Dictionary of Trade and Commerce
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|vol=volume one
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|author=[[:Category:Malachy Postlethwayt|Malachy Postlethwayt]]
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|edition=Third
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|publoc=[[:Category:London|London]]
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|publisher=Printed for H. Woodfall, A. Millar, J. and R. Tonson, J. Rivington, J. Hinton, R. Baldwin, L. Hawes and W. Clarke and R. Collins, R. Horsfield, W. Johnston, T. Longman, J. Brotherton, J. Dodsley, T. Payne, J. Robson, T. Lowndes, W. Nicoll, and J. Knox
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|year=1766
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|lang=[[:Category:English|English]]
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|set=2
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|desc=[[:Category:Folios|Folio (43 cm.)]]
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|shelf=B-5
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}}[[wikipedia:Malachy Postlethwayt|Malachy Postlethwayt]] (1707 &ndash; 1767) was a British economic writer and author. Beginning in the 1730's he was employed by Prime Minister [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Walpole Robert Walpole] as a government publicist.<ref>Peter Groenewegen, "[http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/22599 Postlethwayt, Malachy (1707–1767)]" in ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', accessed September 26, 2013.</ref> Postlethwayt was elected as a fellow to the [[wikipedia:Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London|Society of Antiquaries]] in March of 1735.<ref>Robert Bennett, "Malachy Postlethwayt 1707-67: Genealogy and Influence of an Early Economist and 'Spin-Doctor'," ''Genealogists’ Magazine'' 1 (2006): 1-8.</ref> In 1743 he began his employment with the [[wikipedia:Royal Africa Company|Royal Africa Company]], and was elected a member of the company's court of assistants in 1745.<ref>Groenewegen, "Postlethwayt, Malachy."</ref> During the 1740’s and early 1750's Postlethwayt prepared his most critically acclaimed work, ''The Universal Dictionary of Trade and Commerce'', which was released as two installments between 1751 and 1755.<ref>Bennett, "Malachy Postlethwayt."</ref>
  
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    This work is designed throughout to raise the spirit of universal art and industry in this nation, that the labour and ingenuity of our people, being inferior to those of no other state and empire, the kingdom may not dwindle into poverty and ignominy; and from being the greatest nation in the world, we may not become the least and the most contemptible. (Postlethwayt, l.x)
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[[File:PostlethwaytDictionaryTradeCommerce1766Frontispiece.jpg|left|thumb|250px|<center>Frontispiece, volume one.</center>]]
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Postlethwayt's ''Universal Dictionary of Trade and Commerce'', as compared to other popular economic writings at the time, illustrated his interest in political problems, economic nationalism, and a belief in the economic usefulness of experimental philosophy.<ref>E. A. Johnson, "Postlethwayt, the Publicist," in ''Predecessors of Adam Smith: The Growth of British Economic Thought'' (New York: Prentice Hall, 1937), 402.</ref> ''The Universal Dictionary of Trade and Commerce'' contained many practical articles on inventions and improvements, as well as on commercial practices such as banking, commercial bills, and customs house business.
  
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It therefore contained many practical articles on inventions and improvements, as well as on commercial practice such as banking, commercial bills, and customs house business, hence catering for the considerable interest in compendia of knowledge of the mid-eighteenth century. This last enthusiasm was also evident in Postlethwayt's proposal for a remodelled Royal Society to enable it to collect information useful to British trade as well as to recommend new manufactures and new avenues of trade for official encouragement and support. <ref> Peter Groenewegen, ‘Postlethwayt, Malachy (1707–1767)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 2013 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/22599, accessed 6 June 2013] </ref> </blockquote>
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==Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library==
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Listed in the [[Jefferson Inventory]] of [[Wythe's Library]] as "Postlethwayt’s Dictionary. 1. of the vols only. fol." and given by [[Thomas Jefferson]] to his son-in-law, [[Thomas Mann Randolph]]. Later appears on Randolph's 1832 estate inventory as "'Dictionary of Trade & Commerce' ($2.00 value)." We do not have enough information to conclusively identify which edition Wythe owned. [http://www.librarything.com/profile/GeorgeWythe George Wythe's Library]<ref>''LibraryThing'', s.v. "[http://www.librarything.com/profile/GeorgeWythe Member: George Wythe]," accessed on November 13, 2013.</ref> on LibraryThing indicates this, adding "Several folio editions were published, the first in 1751-55." The [https://digitalarchive.wm.edu/handle/10288/13433 Brown Bibliography]<ref>Bennie Brown, "The Library of George Wythe of Williamsburg and Richmond," (unpublished manuscript, May, 2012) Microsoft Word file. Earlier edition available at: https://digitalarchive.wm.edu/handle/10288/13433.</ref> lists the third edition published in London in 1766 based on the copy Jefferson sold to the Library of Congress in 1815.<ref>E. Millicent Sowerby, ''Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson'', (Washington, D.C.: The Library of Congress, 1952-1959), 2:359 [http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015033648109;view=1up;seq=377 [no.2102]].</ref> This was the edition purchased by the Wolf Law Library.
  
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==Bibliographic Information==
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==Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy==
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'''Author:''' Malachy Postlethwayt
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Bound in contemporary speckled calf with spines in seven compartments with raised bands. Tooled in gilt on either side of each band. Dark red and dark green morocco lettering-pieces in the second and third compartments, the others with a repeat decoration in gilt with marbled endpapers. Purchased from Donald a. Heald Rare Books.  
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'''Title:''' The Universal Dictionary Of Trade And Commerce: With Large Additions And Improvements, Adapting The Same To The Present State Of British Affairs In America, Since The Last Treaty Of Peace Made In The Year 1763. With Great Variety Of New Remarks And Illustrations Incorporated Throughout The Whole Together With Everything Essential That Is Contained In Savary's Dictionary: Also, All The Material Laws Of Trade And Navigation Relating To These Kingdoms, And The Customs And Usages To Which All Traders Are Subject
 
  
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'''Published:''' London : Printed for H. Woodfall, A. Millar, J. and R. Tonson, J. Rivington, J. Hinton, R. Baldwin, L. Hawes and W. Clarke and R. Collins, R. Horsfield, W. Johnston, T. Longman, J. Brotherton, J. Dodsley, T. Payne, J. Robson, T. Lowndes, W. Nicoll, and J. Knox, 1766.  
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Images of the library's copy of this book are [https://www.flickr.com/photos/wolflawlibrary/sets/72157658963517145 available on Flickr.] View the record for this book in [https://wm.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01COWM_INST/g9pr7p/alma991016952939703196 William & Mary's online catalog.]
  
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'''Edition:'''
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===Full text===
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<div style="overflow: hidden;">
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*[http://lawlibrary.wm.edu/wythepedia/library/PostlethwaytUniversalDictionaryOfTradeAndCommerce1766Vol1.pdf Volume I] (137MB PDF)
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*[http://lawlibrary.wm.edu/wythepedia/library/PostlethwaytUniversalDictionaryOfTradeAndCommerce1766Vol2.pdf Volume II] (116MB PDF)
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</div>
  
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==Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library==
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==See also==
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*[[George Wythe Room]]
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*[[Jefferson Inventory]]
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*[[Wythe's Library]]
  
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==Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy==
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==References==
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Bound in contemporary speckled calf with spines in seven compartments with raised bands. Tooled in gilt on either side of each band. Dark red and dark green morocco lettering-pieces in the second and third compartments, the others with a repeat decoration in gilt with marbled endpapers. Purchased from Donald a. Heald Rare Books.
 
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===References===
 
 
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[[Category:Dictionaries]]
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[[Category:George Wythe Collection at William & Mary's Wolf Law Library]]
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[[Category:Malachy Postlethwayt]]
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[[Category:Thomas Mann Randolph's Books]]
 
[[Category:Titles in Wythe's Library]]
 
[[Category:Titles in Wythe's Library]]
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[[Category:English]]
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[[Category:Folios]]
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[[Category:London]]

Latest revision as of 14:52, 11 October 2021

by Malachy Postlethwayt

The Universal Dictionary of Trade and Commerce
PostlethwaytDictionary1766v1.jpg

Title page from The Universal Dictionary of Trade and Commerce, volume one, George Wythe Collection, Wolf Law Library, College of William & Mary.

Author Malachy Postlethwayt
Editor {{{editor}}}
Translator {{{trans}}}
Published London: Printed for H. Woodfall, A. Millar, J. and R. Tonson, J. Rivington, J. Hinton, R. Baldwin, L. Hawes and W. Clarke and R. Collins, R. Horsfield, W. Johnston, T. Longman, J. Brotherton, J. Dodsley, T. Payne, J. Robson, T. Lowndes, W. Nicoll, and J. Knox
Date 1766
Edition Third
Language English
Volumes 2 volume set
Pages {{{pages}}}
Desc. Folio (43 cm.)
Location Shelf B-5
  [[Shelf {{{shelf2}}}]]

Malachy Postlethwayt (1707 – 1767) was a British economic writer and author. Beginning in the 1730's he was employed by Prime Minister Robert Walpole as a government publicist.[1] Postlethwayt was elected as a fellow to the Society of Antiquaries in March of 1735.[2] In 1743 he began his employment with the Royal Africa Company, and was elected a member of the company's court of assistants in 1745.[3] During the 1740’s and early 1750's Postlethwayt prepared his most critically acclaimed work, The Universal Dictionary of Trade and Commerce, which was released as two installments between 1751 and 1755.[4]

Frontispiece, volume one.

Postlethwayt's Universal Dictionary of Trade and Commerce, as compared to other popular economic writings at the time, illustrated his interest in political problems, economic nationalism, and a belief in the economic usefulness of experimental philosophy.[5] The Universal Dictionary of Trade and Commerce contained many practical articles on inventions and improvements, as well as on commercial practices such as banking, commercial bills, and customs house business.

Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library

Listed in the Jefferson Inventory of Wythe's Library as "Postlethwayt’s Dictionary. 1. of the vols only. fol." and given by Thomas Jefferson to his son-in-law, Thomas Mann Randolph. Later appears on Randolph's 1832 estate inventory as "'Dictionary of Trade & Commerce' ($2.00 value)." We do not have enough information to conclusively identify which edition Wythe owned. George Wythe's Library[6] on LibraryThing indicates this, adding "Several folio editions were published, the first in 1751-55." The Brown Bibliography[7] lists the third edition published in London in 1766 based on the copy Jefferson sold to the Library of Congress in 1815.[8] This was the edition purchased by the Wolf Law Library.

Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy

Bound in contemporary speckled calf with spines in seven compartments with raised bands. Tooled in gilt on either side of each band. Dark red and dark green morocco lettering-pieces in the second and third compartments, the others with a repeat decoration in gilt with marbled endpapers. Purchased from Donald a. Heald Rare Books.

Images of the library's copy of this book are available on Flickr. View the record for this book in William & Mary's online catalog.

Full text

See also

References

  1. ↑ Peter Groenewegen, "Postlethwayt, Malachy (1707–1767)" in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, accessed September 26, 2013.
  2. ↑ Robert Bennett, "Malachy Postlethwayt 1707-67: Genealogy and Influence of an Early Economist and 'Spin-Doctor'," Genealogists’ Magazine 1 (2006): 1-8.
  3. ↑ Groenewegen, "Postlethwayt, Malachy."
  4. ↑ Bennett, "Malachy Postlethwayt."
  5. ↑ E. A. Johnson, "Postlethwayt, the Publicist," in Predecessors of Adam Smith: The Growth of British Economic Thought (New York: Prentice Hall, 1937), 402.
  6. ↑ LibraryThing, s.v. "Member: George Wythe," accessed on November 13, 2013.
  7. ↑ Bennie Brown, "The Library of George Wythe of Williamsburg and Richmond," (unpublished manuscript, May, 2012) Microsoft Word file. Earlier edition available at: https://digitalarchive.wm.edu/handle/10288/13433.
  8. ↑ E. Millicent Sowerby, Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson, (Washington, D.C.: The Library of Congress, 1952-1959), 2:359 [no.2102].
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