Carnegie, Andrew. The Gospel of Wealth and Other Timely Essays. New York: The Century Co., 1900.
First edition, first printing of Andrew Carnegie’s foundational essay on the moral responsibility of the wealthy to use their fortunes for the benefit of society.
Octavo, original green cloth with gilt titles to the spine. A fine copy, remarkably well-preserved with bright gilt, tight binding, and clean pages—exceptionally scarce in this condition.
Inscribed by Carnegie to his financial advisor Robert Franks, adding a significant personal association to this landmark work. In The Gospel of Wealth, Carnegie argues that the accumulation of wealth comes with a duty to redistribute it responsibly, shaping the ethos of modern philanthropy. His ideas continue to influence philanthropic efforts today, more than a century after their publication.
Robert Franks was Andrew Carnegie’s close friend and financial agent, responsible for distributing Carnegie’s money for pensions and philanthropic activities, serving as the president and director of the Carnegie Home Trust Company.
First printings are increasingly uncommon, especially in such fine condition and with an important association. A cornerstone of economic and social philosophy, this volume remains a defining text in the history of American capitalism and charitable giving.
