3 volumes, 8vo (216 x 127 mm). 1p. publisher's advertisement at end of vol. III. (Light spotting.) Contemporary speckled calf, burgundy morocco lettering-pieces gilt (endcaps a bit worn, some splitting along joints, light rubbing to extremities); slipcase. Provenance: neat contemporary ownership signature on title-pages.

Second American edition. "THE FIRST AND GREATEST CLASSIC OF MODERN ECONOMIC THOUGHT" (PMM). In his Wealth of Nations, Smith "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). Evans 31196; Sabin 82305.