“THE FIRST AND GREATEST CLASSIC OF MODERN ECONOMIC THOUGHT”: SMITH’S WEALTH OF NATIONS, 1793, SCARCE IN CONTEMPORARY CALF BOARDS

SMITH, Adam. An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. London: A. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1793. Three volumes. Octavo, contemporary full speckled calf sympathetically rebacked in calf-gilt, red morocco spine labels. $6800.

1793 edition of Smith’s magnum opus, increasingly difficult to find in contemporary 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 "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 seventh edition. Bound without half titles; one page of advertisements at rear of Volume III. ESTC T95380. Goldsmiths 15565. Kress B2618. Palgrave III:116. Small contemporary owner labels to front and rear pastedowns.

Contents generally clean, with minor offsetting to endpapers and light spotting to first and last few leaves.