Theory of Moral Sentiments

SMITH, Adam (1723-1790). The Theory of Moral Sentiments. London: for A.Millar. Edinburgh: A.Kincaid & J.Bell, 1759. First edition of Adam Smith's first book, with contemporary Scottish banking provenance. This first owner of this rare book was George Fairholme, a wealthy banker whose estate of Greenhill was outside of Edinburgh. He was also an important collector of Rembrandt. The errata have been neatly accomplished in an early hand. “ The Theory of Moral Sentiments would be enough to assure the author a respected place among Scottish moral philosophers, and Smith himself ranked it above the Wealth of Nations … Its central idea is the concept, closely related to conscience, of the impartial spectator who helps man to distinguish right from wrong. For the same purpose, Immanuel Kant invented the categorical imperative and Sigmund Freud the superego” (Niehans, A History of Economic Theory, 1990, p. 62). ESTC T141578; Goldsmiths' Library 9537; Kress 5815. Octavo (204 x 123mm). Half-title, 1p. errata on verso of final leaf. (Marginal closed tear to S4, pale foxing to 2D1 and a few other spots, light stains to half-title and errata.) Contemporary quarter sheep over marbled boards, red morocco spine label (spine dry and hinges tender, pale foxing to endleaves).

Estimate:$25,000

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