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

early Dublin printing

A handsome, two-volume edition of Smith's masterpiece, the 'first and greatest classic of modern economic thought' (PMM).

Wealth of Nations is fundamentally an investigation into what makes certain nations prosperous. Smith's originality lies in locating the roots of this comparative wealth in the specialisation of labour which had occurred in developed economies, for the 'annual labour of every nation is the fund which originally supplies it with all the necessaries and conveniences of life which it annually consumes, and which consist always, either in the immediate produce of that labour, or in what is purchased with that produce from other nations' (Introduction).

Fifth Dublin edition; 2 vols; 8vo (20.5 x 13.5 cm); both titles with ownership inscriptions excised not affecting text, lacking half-title vol. I; contemporary half mottled calf, buff paper covers, gilt spine in 6 compartments, contrasting black and green morocco lettering-pieces, sprinkled edges, loss to upper lettering-piece of vol. II, both with some loss to buff paper, corners bumped with loss, internally clean; iii-xiii, [1], 498; viii, 489, [61]pp.

ESTC T95114; Tribe 50.