London: Richard Bentley, 1841. In three volumes. First edition. 8vo. (iii-vi), 400; (vi), 406; (vi), 404 pp.; half-titles in second and third volumes; each volume without ads at rear. Illustrated with an engraved portrait frontispiece in each volume, and two engraved portrait plates in third volume. Three-quarter crimson morocco over marbled paper-covered boards, decorated in gilt, joints and extremities rubbed; top edges gilt, other edges trimmed; matching marbled endpapers; book-plate of Eliza W. Osbourne on front paste-down of each volume; spotting to text. Sabin 43356

A handsome first edition set of this early and perennially popular work on crowd psychology. Mackay's work is divided into three broad categories: "National Delusions," "Peculiar Follies," and "Philosophical Delusions," and discusses a wide range of subjects including the Crusades, witch-hunts, alchemy, poltergeists, and the political and religious influence on hair and beards. The chapters on economic bubbles and financial mania have proven especially influential and are now considered a key text in the field of economics.