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Auction archive: Lot number 226

SMITH, Adam (1723-90) An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes ...

Estimate
£50,000 - £80,000
ca. US$99,306 - US$158,890
Price realised:
£102,000
ca. US$202,584
Auction archive: Lot number 226

SMITH, Adam (1723-90) An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes ...

Estimate
£50,000 - £80,000
ca. US$99,306 - US$158,890
Price realised:
£102,000
ca. US$202,584
Beschreibung:

SMITH, Adam (1723-90). An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations . London: for W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1776.
SMITH, Adam (1723-90). An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations . London: for W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1776. 2 volumes, 4° (278 x 220mm). (Lacking half-title in vol. II, minor marginal paper flaw in Gg2, very occasional light spotting.) Contemporary binding by Edwards of Halifax for Henry Wickham: tree calf sides with gilt roll-tool [Marks, fig. 2i], flat vellum spines painted green and gilt, Wickham crest and monogram at foot, spot marbled endpapers, yellow edges (corners lightly rubbed); modern brown buckram folding box with leather spine label. Provenance : Henry Wickham (initials H W on titles, crest on spine) -- François André Huville (signature on flyleaf) -- Alberto Recarte. THE FIRST AND GREATEST CLASSIC OF MODERN ECONOMIC THOUGHT, FINELY BOUND BY EDWARDS OF HALIFAX. Smith's is the first major expression of the theory of free trade. He propounds a system of natural liberty and justice which strives towards improvement in the living standards of the population at large, equating higher wages with a healthier and more productive workforce. He expounds the belief that the limits to growth are political, not economic, and he sets out principles to guide legislators. Smith also provides a history of economic theory, an historical analysis of the wealth of nations, including China, and forecasts for the future. The present set is finely bound by Edwards of Halifax and is especially noteworthy for its distinctive style, combining tree calf sides (a technique then only recently introduced into England) and a painted vellum spine, gilt-tooled with their rolls; no similar binding by Edwards of Halifax has been published. The bindery was especially noted for its bindings featuring paintings underneath transparent vellum (a technique they patented) and "Etruscan"-style tooling; their bindings graced the libraries of King George III, the Dukes of Devonshire, Earl Spencer, and others. The large cornucopia in the spine compartments was used on a binding presented by James Edwards to Lady Rockingham (cf. The Wormsley Library , 1999, no. 63). As was common practice for fine bindings, the half title to vol. II was considered redundant and omitted by the binder. See P.J.M. Marks, "The Edwards of Halifax Bindery", The British Library Journal , vol. 24, 1998, pp.184-218. Christie's is grateful to Philippa Marks of the British Library for her assistance with Edwards of Halifax. Goldsmiths' 11392; Grolier English 57; Kress 7621; PMM 221. (2)

Auction archive: Lot number 226
Auction:
Datum:
6 Jun 2007
Auction house:
Christie's
6 June 2007, London, King Street
Beschreibung:

SMITH, Adam (1723-90). An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations . London: for W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1776.
SMITH, Adam (1723-90). An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations . London: for W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1776. 2 volumes, 4° (278 x 220mm). (Lacking half-title in vol. II, minor marginal paper flaw in Gg2, very occasional light spotting.) Contemporary binding by Edwards of Halifax for Henry Wickham: tree calf sides with gilt roll-tool [Marks, fig. 2i], flat vellum spines painted green and gilt, Wickham crest and monogram at foot, spot marbled endpapers, yellow edges (corners lightly rubbed); modern brown buckram folding box with leather spine label. Provenance : Henry Wickham (initials H W on titles, crest on spine) -- François André Huville (signature on flyleaf) -- Alberto Recarte. THE FIRST AND GREATEST CLASSIC OF MODERN ECONOMIC THOUGHT, FINELY BOUND BY EDWARDS OF HALIFAX. Smith's is the first major expression of the theory of free trade. He propounds a system of natural liberty and justice which strives towards improvement in the living standards of the population at large, equating higher wages with a healthier and more productive workforce. He expounds the belief that the limits to growth are political, not economic, and he sets out principles to guide legislators. Smith also provides a history of economic theory, an historical analysis of the wealth of nations, including China, and forecasts for the future. The present set is finely bound by Edwards of Halifax and is especially noteworthy for its distinctive style, combining tree calf sides (a technique then only recently introduced into England) and a painted vellum spine, gilt-tooled with their rolls; no similar binding by Edwards of Halifax has been published. The bindery was especially noted for its bindings featuring paintings underneath transparent vellum (a technique they patented) and "Etruscan"-style tooling; their bindings graced the libraries of King George III, the Dukes of Devonshire, Earl Spencer, and others. The large cornucopia in the spine compartments was used on a binding presented by James Edwards to Lady Rockingham (cf. The Wormsley Library , 1999, no. 63). As was common practice for fine bindings, the half title to vol. II was considered redundant and omitted by the binder. See P.J.M. Marks, "The Edwards of Halifax Bindery", The British Library Journal , vol. 24, 1998, pp.184-218. Christie's is grateful to Philippa Marks of the British Library for her assistance with Edwards of Halifax. Goldsmiths' 11392; Grolier English 57; Kress 7621; PMM 221. (2)

Auction archive: Lot number 226
Auction:
Datum:
6 Jun 2007
Auction house:
Christie's
6 June 2007, London, King Street
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