Books

First edition of Say's most important book, one of the great works of the classical period of economic thought. The work was not republished until 1814, partly due to Napoleon's hostility to Say, but thereafter went through 32 editions. Besides Smith's Wealth of Nations, whose doctrine Say expounded from an early age, it proved the most popular work on economics in the first half of the 19th century. "It was the first really popular treatise on political economy ever published in France; his main divisions and his terminology have become classical and have served as a model for innumerable subsequent treatises" (Palgrave, III, p. 357). Despite early claims that his work was derivative of Smith, it has long been proved that Say ranks with Sismondi and Cournot in the originality of his contributions to economic theory, and Schumpeter calls his work "the most important of the links in the chain that leads from Cantillon and Turgot to Walras" (History of Economic Analysis, pp. 492-3). Two volumes, octavo (197 x 124 mm). Contemporary quarter marbled calf, marbled sides, vellum tips. Joints and extremities neatly restored. Light spotting to contents, minor peripheral paper faults to a few leaves with paper flaw tear to vol. I pp. 291/2. A very good copy. Carpenter XXXIII (1); Einaudi 5118; En Français dans le Texte 207; Goldsmiths' 18616; INED 4110; Kress B.4729; Mattioli 3236.

One of the foundational texts on political economy, where Say elaborates on his economic theories, including Say's Law of markets.