Books

Second, revised edition of the first volume of Marx's masterpiece of political economy, edited by the author from the first edition of 1867 and containing the first printing of his ten-page afterword. Only the first volume of this most influential of books was published in Marx's lifetime: the later two volumes were edited by Engels from the author's manuscript. Das Kapital was the summation of over twenty years research in the reading rooms of the British Museum, and followed on from his earlier work Zur Kritik der politischen Oekonomie, printed in 1859. Octavo (197 x 131 mm). Modern coarse-grain dark brown morocco by K. H. Neumann, spine lettered in gilt, raised bands, original marbled free endpapers preserved, edges red. With modern coarse-grain dark brown morocco slipcase and chemise, both lined in patterned suede, slipcase lettered in gilt to spine, chemise lettered in gilt and with printed photographic strip to front cover. Tables in the text. Bound without half-title and terminal advertisement leaf. Contents washed, minor ink spots to 20.8; very light scuffing to slipcase and chemise: a very good copy. Rubel 633.

"Das Kapital," written by Karl Marx, is a seminal work critiquing the capitalist system's foundations and mechanisms. Published in 1867, this extensive analysis of capitalism delves into its economic processes, the exploitation inherent within, and its eventual contradictions which Marx believed would lead to its downfall. Marx introduces key concepts such as commodity, value, surplus value, and the labor theory of value, arguing that the value of a commodity is determined by the labor required for its production. He criticizes how capitalists profit by exploiting workers, paying them less than the value of their labor while selling the products for their full value. Marx's critique extends to the dynamics of capital accumulation, technological advancements, and their effects on the proletariat, predicting increasing capital centralization and crises stemming from capitalism's internal contradictions. "Das Kapital" covers the circulation and distribution of capital, explaining how surplus value is divided among different classes and sectors, leading to cycles of boom and bust. Despite its influence, "Das Kapital" has faced criticism for its total failure in economic predictions, such as the underestimation of capitalism's adaptability and the overemphasis on the labor theory of value. Critics argue Marx's predictions of escalating class struggle and the proletariat revolution have not materialized as expected, questioning his views on human nature and the efficiency of market mechanisms. Nonetheless, "Das Kapital" remains a pivotal work in economic and political thought, offering a deep, if wrong, critique of capitalism and its socio-economic impacts.