• 18 • “THE FIRST AND GREATEST CLASSIC OF MODERN ECONOMIC THOUGHT”: SMITH’S WEALTH OF NATIONS, 1796, IN CONTEMPORARY CALF 18 SMITH, Adam. An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. London, 1796. Three volumes. Octavo, contemporary full brown tree calf. $6500 Early edition of Smith’s magnum opus, this copy with a contemporary provenance in containing the armorial bookplates in each volume of Sir Roger Holt Leigh, a Member of Parliament from 1802-1820, a handsome copy in contemporary tree calf. “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. With half titles; Volume III with rear page of publisher’s advertisements; Volume II without preliminary blank leaf. Kress B3289. Goldsmiths 16558. Palgrave III:116. ESTC T95381. From the library of Sir Roger Holt Leigh, who was a Member of Parliament (1802-1820). Each volume containing his armorial bookplates displaying a banner printed “in hoc signo vinces,” translatable as “in this sign thou shalt conquer.” Each volume also containing the signed, “R.H. Leigh 1798,” reportedly in his hand. Text pristine in contemporary tree calf with expert reinforcement to joints, spine ends and corners. An excellent near-fine copy.
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