Beschreibung:

SMITH, Adam (1723-1790). Issledovaniia o prirode i prichinakh bogatstva narodov … [Inquiry on the nature and causes of the wealth of nations]. St Petersburg: Glazunov, 1866. First edition, rare both in institutional holdings and in trade, of the much-improved second Russian translation of Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations . The earlier version (1802-1806), by N. R. Politkovsky, obscured by vague terminology and obsolete prose, had immediately sparked dissatisfaction. “By the middle of the nineteenth century the first translation of Wealth of Nations was increasingly unsatisfactory to Russian readers working in a language that had developed considerably since the early part of the century. … Bibikov 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, which have notes, indexes and supplements. [Bibikov’s translation was made] from Blanqui’s version of Garnier’s French edition, including an apparatus that drew upon the commentary of Buchanan, Garnier, McCulloch, and others, which Bibikov retained in the Russian translation” (Tribe, pp.160-161). Tribe 184; Vanderblue p.30. ABPC/RBH show no record. 3 volumes, octavo (202 x 134 mm.). (Light waterstain to first quire of vol. 1, without pp.7-8 of vol. 1 as in all recorded copies.) Contemporary black quarter calf, black speckled boards, cloth corners, spines ruled and lettered gilt (joints rubbed, gilding faded, board paper lifted in places and repaired); in a cloth box.