Elements of the Science of Money Founded on Principles of the Law of Nature

London: Longman, 1813. [Economics] FIRST EDITION. Octavo, pp. lii; 496. Original tan calf with raised bands to spine, gilt rules, red title label. Spotting to prelims and preface, otherwise contents clean. Binding lightly rubbed, crown of spine worn, tear to rear joint at head and tail. Overall an attractive copy of a particularly rare text, missing from many important Economics libraries; no copies have been recorded sold at auction and a survey of specialist booksellers' catalogues has been fruitless. Seven copies are held at UK institutions (BL, Birmingham, Cambridge, Edinburgh, London, LSE and Sheffield) and just two further copies worldwide (Tokyo and Wyoming). Smith was editor of the Law Journal in London and was counsel for Daniel Isaac Eaton who published Thomas Paine's Age of Reason. His magnum opus 'The Science of Money' appeared in 1813 and in 1817 he was appointed second fiscal officer in the sugar-trade colony of Demerara-Essequibo (British Guiana). Formerly a Dutch territory, the local currency remained the Guilder, despite British control. Smith was accompanied to the Caribbean by his daughter and son, John Prince Smith (jr.,1809-1874), later a political economist and free trade liberal. Smith senior died in Demerara the year before the mass slave rebellion occurred. Bloy, Marjorie. Biographical Dictionary of British Economists.