Landmark Books in All Fields
ItemID: #115836
Cost: $6,000.00

Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations

Adam Smith

"THE FIRST AND GREATEST CLASSIC OF MODERN ECONOMIC THOUGHT": IMPORTANT 1789 LONDON EDITION OF SMITH'S WEALTH OF NATIONS

SMITH, Adam. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. London: Printed for A. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1789. Three volumes. Octavo, contemporary full brown tree calf rebacked and recornered, raised bands, red morocco spine label. $6000.

1789 edition of Smith's magnum opus, issued in London the same year as the first American edition, a beautiful copy in contemporary tree calf boards.

"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, first published in 1776, "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 fifth edition. Volume III with one rear page of ads. Lowndes, 2417. Kress B1722. Sabin 82305. Each volume with armorial bookplate of John Forbes of Blackford; signed "Blackford" above the title page.

Interior very fresh with only lightest scattered foxing. A handsomely copy.

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