Adam Smith

The Wealth of Nations. 1786 Fourth edition

SMITH,ADAM.
An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. In Three Volumes. The Fourth Edition.
London, A.Strahan and T.Cadell 1786

3 volumes, octavo, contemporary half calf and marbled boards, contemporary red morocco labels lettered gilt with volume numbers in gilt, head and tails worn, leaf edges entirely uncut, pp.viii + 499 + (1) errata; vi + 518 + (5) appendix + (1) errata; v + (1) errata + 465 + (1) blank + (50) index, in vol.III title page and index leaves unopened, engraved armorial bookplate in all volumes of Talbot of Gonville’s Hall in Wymondham Co.Norfolk MDLXXXIV, in volumes II and III in ink on initial blank B.C.Hingham June 87, contemporary binders note in ink on front blank endpaper of volume I 3 V. 0.18.0 in hf bind., and at the foot of the final blank leaf Joh.Slapp Cher., a charming copy.
£4950

PMM 221 (1st edition). Goldsmith 13148. Kress B1129. Vanderblue, p.3. See Mossner, Correspondence of Adam Smith, 1987, letter no.256 to Andrew Strahan

Fourth edition published on November 6th 1786. There are a few trifling alterations from the 3rd edition.. In the ‘Advertisement’ leaf in volume I to this edition Adam Smith writes ‘In this fourth edition I have made no alterations of any kind. I now, however, find myself at liberty to acknowledge my very great obligations to Henry Hop of Amsterdam. To that Gentleman I owe the most distinct, as well as liberal information, concerning a very interesting and important subject, the Bank of Amsterdam; of which no printed account had ever appeared to me satisfactory, or even intelligible...’
Adam Smith wrote to his publisher Andrew Strahan in February 1786 ‘I beg you will employ one of your best compositors in printing the new edition of my book. I must, likewise beg that a compleat copy be sent to me before it is published, that I may revise and correct it. You may depend upon my not detaining you above a week...’