SMITH Adam Recherches sur la nature et les causes de la richesse des nations. Traduction nouvelle avec des notes et observations par Germain Garnier.

Einaudi, 5340 ; Goldsmith’s, 18412 ; Kress, B-4604 ; see PMM, 211 (for the 1776 first English edition); Coquelin-Guillaumin, I, 824.

First edition of the famous translation by Germain Garnier, which became the model for all subsequent French editions. A first-issue copy with errata pages for each volume. The translator’s extensive preface contains a summary of the doctrine established by Adam Smith. It is followed by a long note on the life and works of the great economist.

At a very young age, Germain Garnier (1754-1821) was appointed secretary to Madame Adelaïde, daughter of Louis XV. He was a member of the Executive Board of the Paris Commune, then Prefect of Seine-et-Oise, Minister of State and member of the Privy Council of King Louis XVIII. An economist of great repute – his name already appeared in the Dictionnaire de l’économie politique at the time – his notes and observations on economics are set out in volume five of the present edition. They were subsequently translated into English for the 1805 Glasgow edition.

A very fine copy, complete with the engraved portrait by Prévost.

Provenance: Jean de Bry (bookplate in each volume). Jean de Bry (1760-1834), politician of the French Revolution, elected deputy to the National Legislative Assembly, the National Convention, the Council of Five Hundred and the Tribunate.