“THE FIRST AND GREATEST CLASSIC OF MODERN ECONOMIC THOUGHT”: SMITH’S WEALTH OF NATIONS, 1796, SCARCE IN CONTEMPORARY CALF BINDINGS

SMITH, Adam. An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. London: A. Strahan; T. Cadell jun. and W. Davies, 1796. Three volumes. Octavo, contemporary full brown mottled calf gilt, red and black morocco spine labels. $8800.

1796 edition of Smith’s magnum opus, increasingly difficult to find in contemporary calf bindings.

"Where the political aspects of human rights had taken two centuries to explore, Smith's achievement was to bring the study of economic aspects to the same point in a single work… it is the first and greatest classic of modern economic thought" (PMM 221). Buckle's History of Civilization calls Wealth of Nations "probably the most important book which has ever been written," while economist J.A.R. Mariott asserts that "there is probably no single work in the language which has in its day exercised an influence so profound." First published in 1776. Stated eighth edition. Bound with all half titles; one page of advertisements at rear of Volume III. ESTC T95381. Goldsmiths 16558. Kress B3289. Palgrave III:116. Armorial bookplate.

Contents clean; light expert restoration to contemporary calf joints, spine ends and extremities of boards. Near-fine and beautifully bound.