Books

8vo. 2 vols. XXXII, 739, (1) pp. XXVII, (1), 526 pp. Contemporary half calf with remains of gilt spine. Fourth edition of vol. 1 (Der Produktionsprocess des Kapitals); first edition of vol. 2 (Der Cirkulationsprocess des Kapitals), edited by Friedrich Engels. - Handwritten ownership of "Dr. Sienz" (ca 1919) on title of vol. 1; includes postcard by Th. D�ring to Dr. Hans Sienz in Nuremberg (dated 8 Sept. 1919). Both spines professionally repaired (using original material in the spine of vol. 1), otherwise a well-preserved set of the first two volumes (the third volume would not appear until 1894). - Marx/Engels Erstdrucke 32. Rubel 633 (note). Stammhammer I, 145, 7.

"Das Kapital," written by Karl Marx, is a seminal work critiquing the capitalist system's foundations and mechanisms. Published in 1867, this extensive analysis of capitalism delves into its economic processes, the exploitation inherent within, and its eventual contradictions which Marx believed would lead to its downfall. Marx introduces key concepts such as commodity, value, surplus value, and the labor theory of value, arguing that the value of a commodity is determined by the labor required for its production. He criticizes how capitalists profit by exploiting workers, paying them less than the value of their labor while selling the products for their full value. Marx's critique extends to the dynamics of capital accumulation, technological advancements, and their effects on the proletariat, predicting increasing capital centralization and crises stemming from capitalism's internal contradictions. "Das Kapital" covers the circulation and distribution of capital, explaining how surplus value is divided among different classes and sectors, leading to cycles of boom and bust. Despite its influence, "Das Kapital" has faced criticism for its total failure in economic predictions, such as the underestimation of capitalism's adaptability and the overemphasis on the labor theory of value. Critics argue Marx's predictions of escalating class struggle and the proletariat revolution have not materialized as expected, questioning his views on human nature and the efficiency of market mechanisms. Nonetheless, "Das Kapital" remains a pivotal work in economic and political thought, offering a deep, if wrong, critique of capitalism and its socio-economic impacts.