Smith, Adam | First American edition of "The Wealth of Nations"

Smith, Adam

An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. Philadelphia: Printed for Thomas Dobson, at the Stone House, in Second Street [No. 41, S. Second Street], 1789, 1796, 1789

3 volumes, 8vo (172 x 103 mm). Preliminary leaf in vol. 1 with "Advertisement to the Third Edition" (recto) and "Advertisement to the Fourth Edition" (verso); browning and scattered marginal soiling. Contemporary tree sheep, spines ruled in compartments with double gilt fillets, red morocco title labels; extremities rather rubbed, some joints tender. Half brown morocco folding-case gilt.

Early American edition, comprising the first American edition of volumes 1 and 3, and the second American edition of volume 2; the whole reprinted from the fourth London edition (hence the designation "A New Edition" on the title-pages). Whether by coincidence or intent, Dobson first issued his edition in the year of George Washington's inauguration as first president of the United States. For a summary of the influence of Smith's Inquiry on the American Founders, please see lot 13 in Part 1.

Despite the second volume here deriving from the 1796 edition, the present set has long been an integral unit and was probably so issued. Not only are the attractive American bindings absolutely uniform, but the volumes share an eighteenth-century American family provenance.

REFERENCES:

Evans 22148, 31196; Sabin 82305; ESTC W12864, W13002; Kress B.1721, B.3288

PROVENANCE:

Francis Lasher (contemporary signature on advertisement leaf in vol. 1) — Jacob Lasher (signature, 1798, on title-page of vol. 2)