SMITH (Adam). Recherches sur la nature et les causes de la r - Lot 107

SMITH (Adam). Recherches sur la nature et les causes de la richesse des nations. À Paris, chez H. Agasse, an X-1802. 5 volumes in-8. I: (4 of which the last is blank)-cxxvii-(one)-368-(2 of which the last is blank). II: (4 of which the 2 versos are white)-493-(5 of which the first 3 and the last are white). III: (4 with 2 white backs)-564-(2 with the second white). IV: (4 with 2 white backs)-556-(2 with the second white back). V : (4 of which with blank versos)-588-(2 of which with blank versos) pp. Rotted tawny calf, smooth spines partitioned and ornamented with green title and tomaison pieces, and green side pieces, triple gilt fillet framing the boards, ornamented edges, marbled edges; quires T and V of the first volume interchanged at binding, spines a little faded, snags at some of the ends of the jaws, epidermis on some boards, some corners a little worn (period binding). FIRST EDITION OF THIS FRENCH TRANSLATION with commentary by Germain Garnier. Portrait-frontispiece engraved on copper by Benoît-Louis Prévost. THE FRENCH TRANSLATION REMAINED THE STANDARD FOR ALMOST TWO CENTURIES. The original English edition appeared in 1776, and three French translations followed between 1776 and 1791. The one provided here by Germain Garnier in 1802 quickly established itself as the best, firstly because as an economist he himself had an intimate knowledge of the subject matter, and secondly because it included a substantial critical apparatus comprising a long preface and numerous commentaries. In this personal contribution, Germain Garnier defended Adam Smith's theories against David Ricardo and Thomas Malthus, and presented them as complementary to those of the physiocrats. The preface attracted interest beyond our borders, and was translated into English and published in several editions of Adam Smith in England and the United States. Germain Garnier republished the Recherches in 1822, with expanded commentaries. ECONOMIST DISCIPLE OF RICHARD CANTILLON, AND ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE FRENCH LIBERAL SCHOOL, GERMAIN GARNIER (1754-1821) was initially a prosecutor at the Châtelet and secretary to Madame Adélaïde, the King's aunt. Elected deputy to the Estates General in 1789, he declared himself in favor of a constitutional monarchical regime, was a member of the Impartial Monarchist Club in 1790, and refused the Ministry of Justice in 1792, before leaving for emigration. On his return, he held an official position under the Consulate and Empire: appointed Prefect of Seine-et-Oise in 1800, he entered the Senate in 1804, presided over it from 1809 to 1811, and was made a Count. However, he voted for the emperor's disqualification in 1814, and continued his career under the Restoration, becoming Peer de France, Marquis, Minister of State and member of the Privy Council. HE PUBLISHED NUMEROUS ECONOMIC WORKS, INCLUDING THE FIRST TEXTBOOK ON POLITICAL ECONOMY (1796). Provenance: historian Agricol-Joseph de Fortia d'Urban (ex-libris vignettes); then "CC" (ex-libris vignette); then "Bibliothèque de Belay" (ex-libris vignettes).