Books

First edition in Russian of The Theory of Moral Sentiments, very rare. This landmark translation (it is still the one used in Russia today) was made by Pavel Bibikov, who had brought out a translation of the Wealth of Nations (the edition read by Lenin) two years before. Both were published as part of his series the Library of Classical European Writers. "Bibikov (1831-1875) already had a reputation as a historian, philosopher, and literary critic, and this undoubtedly had a part in the generally high level of presentation of the translations" (Artemieva, p. 160). The translations were probably made via French, but whereas Bibikov's Wealth of Nations was superseded by the end of the century, his Theory of Moral Sentiments remained the only Russian version available until 1997. Tatiana V. Artemieva, "Adam Smith in Russian translation", A Critical Bibliography of Adam Smith, ed. Keith Tribe (2002), pp. 153-167. Octavo (207 x 138 mm), pp. [2], [5]-515 + 4pp. contents and advertisement leaf, complete. Recently bound in quarter marbled calf and pebble grain cloth, vellum tips, spine ruled gilt, black morocco label. First and last leaves a little darkened, short chip to upper margin of title, small stain to final few leaves and last leaf strengthened in the gutter; a very good copy. .