Smith, Adam.

4to (268 x 223mm.), 2 volumes, first edition, half-title in volume 2,  publisher's advertisement leaf at the end of volume 2, leaves M3, Q1, U3, 2Z3, 3A4 and 3O4 in volume 1 are cancels, also leaves D1 and 3Z4 in volume 2 (all as usual), contemporary sprinkled calf, tan and blue morocco labels on spines, spines lettered and ruled in gilt, Sledmere Library emblem of Pan among the reeds with pipe in gilt at the base of the spines, fore-edges and bottom edges yellow, joints of volume 1 cracked and starting, joints of volume 2 partially cracked, minor wear to edges of binding, some slight foxing at beginning and end of both volumes, still a near fine copy

Sir Christopher Sykes, 2nd baronet, Sledmere House (1749-1801), ?his catalogue reference in ink on upper paste-down of volume 1 ("Cat V2PCC1. CS Sledmere"), shelfmark, Sledmere library emblem at foot of spines; thence by descent

PMM 221; Rothschild 1897; Kress 7621; Goldsmith's 11392; Sabin 82303

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, when appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

a beautiful copy in a contemporary binding, with a distinguished provenance, of the "first and greatest classic of modern economic thought" (Printing and the Mind of Man).

"The Wealth of Nations had no rival in scope or depth when published and is still one of the few works in its field to have achieved classic status, meaning simply that it has sustained yet survived repeated reading, critical and adulatory, long after the circumstances which prompted it have become the object of historical enquiry...". (Donald Winch, Oxford DNB)

"No society can surely be flourishing and happy, of which the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable. It is but equity, besides, that they who feed, cloath and lodge the whole body of the people, should have such a share of the produce of their own labour as to be themselves tolerably well fed, cloathed and lodged"