Books

First edition, first issue, presentation copy, inscribed in a secretarial hand "from the author" on the title page. The pamphlet is the first expression of Malthus's view, for which he is credited as among the founders of the classical theory of rent. "Together with the population principle, the theory of rent was one of the chief ideas contributed by Malthus to the re-evaluation of Smith's political economy which took place during the first decades of the nineteenth century" (Winch, p. 349). Malthus developed the idea from his lectures while professor of history and political economy at the East India College. Its publication grew out of a private debate between Malthus and Ricardo. In response, Ricardo expounded on Malthus's ideas, and their synthesis was the basis of English thought on rent for the rest of the century. The second issue names J. Johnson and Co. in the imprint. Provenance: with the bookplate of the Dutch economist Arnold Heertje (1934-2020). Black 2877; Einaudi 3673; Goldsmiths 21130; Hollander 2323; Kress B.6536; McCulloch, p. 32. Donal Winch, Riches and Poverty, 1996. Octavo (207 x 127 mm), pp. [iv], 62. Twentieth-century pink paper boards, red morocco label to spine. Superficial split to front joint, contents spotted. A good copy.