Books

1910. [Blagoev-translation:] Sofia, [presumably 1910 but august 1909 stated on last leaf of preface] & [Ba [Blagoev-translation:] 8vo. In a contemporary full cloth binding with red leather title-label with gilt lettering to spine. Spine with wear and light soiling to extremities. Hindges a bit weak First 10 leaves with stain in margin, otherwise a good copy. (6), XXXI, (1), 675, (1) pp.[Bakalov-translation:] 8vo. In contemporary half calf with five raised bands and gilt lettering to spine. Wear to extremities and hindges a bit weak Repair to inner margin of title-page. Internally fine and clean. XXX, (2), 598, (2) pp. + frontiespiece of Marx. Withbound is "Karl Marx and His Time": (1)-180 pp. A most interesting set consisting of the two first Bulgarian translations of Marx' 'Das Kapital'. Quite extraordinary in the history of translations of 'Das Kapital' two Bulgarian translation appeared, presumably, simultaneously and both translations seems to have been actively used though…

"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.