"A Collection Of The Works Of William Penn" 1726, William Penn (1st Edition)
 
Published in 1726, A Collection of the Works of William Penn serves as the definitive posthumous tribute to the Quaker leader and founder of Pennsylvania. Compiled by Joseph Besse, the two-volume folio was released during a period when the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) was transitioning from a persecuted sect into a more established, influential social force. By gathering Penn's diverse writings, ranging from fiery theological defenses to his plans for colonial governance, the collection aimed to preserve the intellectual legacy of a man who bridged the gap between radical English dissent and the practical administration of the American colonies.

The work centers on Penn’s commitment to religious liberty and the "Inner Light." The collection includes his most famous treatise, No Cross, No Crown, written during his imprisonment in the Tower of London, which argues that spiritual growth requires self-denial and moral discipline. It also features The Sandy Foundation Shaken, a controversial critique of traditional Church doctrines that led to his arrest.
 
Beyond theology, the volumes contain letters and papers documenting his "Holy Experiment" in Pennsylvania, where he attempted to implement a society based on pacifism, fair treatment of Indigenous peoples, and democratic principles.

Historically, this 1726 edition appeared at a time when Enlightenment ideals were beginning to take root in Europe and the Americas. Penn’s writings provided a blueprint for pluralism and constitutionalism that would eventually influence the founding documents of the United States. By presenting Penn’s life alongside his works, the collection framed him not just as a religious figure, but as a sophisticated political philosopher. Today, these volumes remain a primary source for understanding the seventeenth-century struggle for freedom of conscience and the early development of American civic identity.
 
The 18th-century armorial bookplate belonged to William Dickinson, Esq. (1745–1806), a wealthy British politician, landowner, and Member of Parliament for Somerset, and was later inherited by his son of the same name (1771–1837), who also served as an MP. The 1726 publication date of the books confirms they were originally collected by the senior Dickinson to build the foundational gentleman’s library at their country estate, Kingweston House in Somerset. Because father and son shared the exact same name and coat of arms, this bookplate serves as a physical relic bridging two generations of Georgian political power. Following the younger Dickinson’s death in 1837, subsequent heirs continuously thinned out the library over the next century, selling off high-value individual volumes in small batches to London book dealers to cover estate maintenance and taxes.
 
Historically, this bookplate represents the direct entanglement of British elite culture with the brutal mechanics of colonial slavery. The Dickinson family fortune was built not on traditional English land, but on multi-generational West Indian commerce started by the grandfather, Caleb Dickinson, a Bristol merchant who invested heavily in Jamaican sugar. Both William Dickinson Sr. and Jr. operated as wealthy absentee planters, forcing hundreds of enslaved individuals to labor under brutal conditions on Jamaica's Appleton and Barton Estates. They used these overseas profits to fund political campaigns, defend the slave trade in Parliament, and buy luxury libraries, ultimately receiving a massive government compensation payout of over £4,800 when slavery was abolished in 1833.
 
Condition: The books are very handsome, with boards firmly attached by cords, indicating they are still in their original binding. The outer leather hinges are visibly cracked, but despite this, these books should remain in their original binding, as they can be read and displayed as they are. Each volume features a bookplate baring the name William Dickinson Esq. whom was likely the original owner of these books when they were new.
 
We provide detailed photographs to allow you to assess the book's condition and aesthetic appeal. Many, if not all, of the early books and Bibles we offer will show signs of aging, whether it's foxing on the pages, dog-eared or chipped corners, inscriptions from previous owners, or staining from years of use.