R A R E B O O K S A T C H R I S T M A S
70. SMITH, Adam AN INQUIRY INTO THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF THE WEALTH OF NATIONS Printed for A. Strahan; and T. Cadell, in the Strand, 1796. Eighth Edition. Three volumes. Octavo. Bound in full contempo- rary full calf with gilt rules to spines, volume numbers and titles on tan morocco title labels. Paper labels to the each spine ends. Blind rules to turn ins. A fine set, the binding in excellent unre - paired condition, with just a little rubbing to extremities and a few light scuffs to boards. A couple of internal maginal tears, not affecting the text. Occasional light finger marks or spots of fox - ing to pages, but overall an exceptionally fresh, well preserved copy. [46559] £4,750 Critically regarded as the founding work of modern economic thought, Adam Smith began writing his magnum opus in Toulouse in 1763 spending the next decade in perfecting it. The first edition was pub- lished in two octavo volumes in 1776, changing format to a more man- ageable three octavo volumes with the third edition of 1784. In all there were nine eighteenth century editions, all of which are now uncommon
in nice contemporary condition. In the work, Smith “begins with the thought that labour is the source from which a nation derives what is necessary to it. The improvement of the division of labour is the measure of productivity and in it lies the human propensity to barter and exchange … The Wealth of Nations ends with a history of economic development, a definitive onslaught on the mercantile system, and some prophetic speculations on the limits of economic control” (PMM). “The Wealth of Nations had no rival in scope or depth when published and is still one of the few works in its field to have achieved classic sta- tus, meaning simply that it has sustained yet survived repeated read- ing, critical and adulatory, long after the circumstances which prompt- ed it have become the object of historical enquiry” (ODNB). “The certainty of its criticism and its grasp of human nature have made it the first and greatest classic of modern economic thought” (PMM) PROVENANCE: From the library of Sir James Gordon Baronet of Letterfourie, his bookplate to each volume.
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