AN INQUIRY INTO THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF THE WEALTH OF NATIONS
London: J. Maynard and F. Zinke, 1811. Early Edition. Hardcover. Three volumes (5-1/4" x 8-8/8") in contemporary marbled boards, rebacked in attractive green blindstamped morocco leather with matching corners, all edges marbled (lxxi, 360; vi, 514; v, 448, 50 pages). First published in 1776, this is a reprint of the Fifth Edition of 1786, the final edition to be published in Smith's lifetime. Adam Smith (1723-1790) spent ten years in the writing and perfecting of THE WEALTH OF NATIONS. The book succeeded at once, and the first edition was exhausted in six months. GOLDSMITH 11663; GROLIER 100 ENGLISH, 57; KRESS B.154; PRINTING AND THE MIND OF MAN 221: "The certainty of its criticism and its grasp of human nature have made it the first and greatest classic of modern economic thought." Light pencil underlining and a few notes, text rather clean; owner ink stamp on title page of first volume. Near Fine. Item #021345
Price: $2,000.00