"FOOLISH FINANCE IS A SCIENCE. IT IS THE SCIENCE OF PARTING A FOOL AND HIS FINANCES"

WURDZ, Gideon, compiler. Foolish Finance. Boston: John W. Luce, 1905. Small octavo, original pictorial green cloth. $950.

First edition of this humorous look at investment and Wall Street at the turn of the 20th century.

"A book to appeal to those who enjoy wit and originality. The author of 'The Foolish Dictionary' in this new output gives a 'review of all the commercial craft now employed in the carrying trade between the common people's castles in Spain, and the treasure island of the system.' The preface informs us that the author has 'catalogued the facts, made a list of the factors, analyzed the motives and memorized the methods of all this foolish finance business with the sole object of speaking with authority and good humor to these befogged and befuddled common people—who really seem in immediate need of a Primer equipped with diagrams, raised letters and a club'" (contemporary review, The Bookseller, Newsdealer, and Stationer). Early owner signature.

Interior fine, light rubbing to cover to white-stamping on cover as usual, a bit of toning to spine. A near-fine copy.