HISTORY OF A CRIME AGAINST THE FOOD LAW

Washington D.C.: Harvey W. Wiley,. M.D., 1929. First printing. Very good.. Inscribed first edition of the "most important book ever written in America to protect American citizens from fraudulent practices against their food and drugs" (Clinton R. Miller), written by the first commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. The self-published account of one of the most consequential consumer protection laws ever passed in the US - the 1906 Food and Drug Act - written by one of its most famous proponents. Wiley details the battles and opposition to the law (both historic and ongoing), as well as arguing strenuously for strengthening the act's enforcement mechanisms. As writer Deborah Blum noted in her 2018 biography of Wiley: "When the landmark 1906 Food and Drug Act was finally passed, it was known across the land, as 'Dr. Wiley's Law.'" This copy was signed on the last day before Wiley's retirement from public life, which was widely announced in newspapers nationwide as commencing on Jan. 1st of 1930. An interesting copy of a significant book. 8'' x 5.25''. Original black cloth with gold stamped titles. xiv, 414 pages. Inscribed by Wiley on the title page: "To Mrs. S.W. Davidson / With the sincerest re- / gards of the author / Harvey W. Wiley / December 31st, 1929." Spine titles faded. Some fraying to cloth at head and tail, rubbing to joints. Slight lean, minor shelfwear. Overall, sound.