Books

First edition of this exhaustive survey of political economy, in which Say draws together and refines the principles of his great Traité d'economie politique (1803), based on a course of lectures which he gave at the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers. Say intended the work as a more broadly accessible exposition of his system than the Traité d'economie politique. He takes a far more positive view of Britain's economic system than in his earlier work, deeming that they have now taken heed of Adam Smith's counsels, and intensifies his defence of international free trade. Overall, it marks a development rather than a repudiation of its predecessor. Six vols, octavo. Uncut in contemporary quarter cloth, red paper labels in gilt, blue paper-covered sides. Housed in two custom card slipcases. Folding table to vol. I. Very light wear at extremities, split at foot of rear joint, scattered slight foxing, folding table browned, minor staining to early leaves of vol. VI. A very good copy. Einaudi 5112; Goldsmiths' 25468; Kress C2175.