An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.

The first post-copyright three-volume edition of Smith's masterpiece, a cornerstone text in the development of modern economic theory and political philosophy. Handsomely bound in contemporary tree-calf.

A '"New Edition" as stated on the title-page, since it includes a "Life of the Author" and Germain Garnier's "View of the Doctrine of Smith, compared with that of the French Economists", a translation of the first two parts (the "View" and the "Method") of Garnier's "Préface du traducteur" of his 1802 edition of the Recherches. This translation is the base from which all later editions worked, modifying in time only spelling and punctuation. It is also the first edition to carry a "Life", which draws heavily upon Dugald Stewart but includes later biographical material; this "Life" was also reprinted many times in the first half of the nineteenth century' (Tribe).

The Wealth of Nations '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).

New Edition'; 3 vols; 8vo (21.5 x 14 cm); library plate to front pastedown of each vol., slight offsetting to title and last f. of text; contemporary tree calf, covers ruled in gilt, gilt spines, contrasting morocco lettering-pieces, joints and corners expertly restored, very good; [2], liv, [2], 360; [2], iii, [1], 512, [4]; [2], ii, 448, [50]pp.

Tribe 87; not in Goldsmith.