Theory of Games and Economic Behaviour.

The first edition of the foundational work on modern game theory.

Von Neumann (1903-1957) first wrote seriously about the concept in a 1928 paper titled 'Zur Theorie der Gesellschaftsspiele', which was published in the journal Mathematische Annalen. However, it was not until his collaboration with the economist Oskar Morgenstern (1902-1977) that game theory was applied to the social sciences and strategic decision-making more generally.

Theory of Games and Economic Behaviour provided the first comprehensive model in which each player's outcome depended not only on their own choices, but also on the decisions of others. It has since gone on to become a bestseller, having attracted considerable attention from an early stage, including being featured on the front page of The New York Times in March 1946.

First edition, first printing; large 8vo (24 x 16 cm); tipped-in corrigenda leaf after title, library shelfmark stamp to title, date stamp and pencil note to verso, bookplate to front pastedown, remnants of library book pocket to rear pastedown; publisher's red cloth, spine lettered in gilt to red ground, old adhesive to upper-cover, a little rubbed and frayed at the extremities;