Books

London: John Murray, 1817. First edition of David Ricardo’s most important work, a cornerstone of economic theory— one of only 750 copies printed. Octavo, bound in contemporary half calf. Calf lightly rubbed, a near fine example. Rare in contemporary calf. Bookplate of John Hales Calcraft, member of Parliament in the late 18th century. "David Ricardo is without doubt the greatest representative of classical political economy. He carried the work begun by Adam Smith to the farthest point possible Ricardo, writing 50 years later than Smith, showed a greater insight into the working of the economic system In the opinion of his own contemporaries at home and abroad, Ricardo was acknowledged the leader of the science His most important work is On the Principles of Political Economy and Taxation, first published in 1817" (Roll, History of Economic Thought, 155-6). The "principal problem in political economy" as Ricardo defines it, is the "laws" which regulate "the natural course…