ABSTRACT
In the Preface of Production of Commodities by Means of Commodities Sraffa mentions John Maynard Keynes, pointing out that in 1928 he had shown him ‘a draft of the opening propositions of this paper’ (Sraffa 1960a:vi). Yet, there is no expression of gratitude to any of his fellow economists for comments, suggestions or assistance during the long period over which the book had been in preparation. There is no mention of Maurice Dobb, Richard Kahn, Nicholas Kaldor, Joan Robinson or of any other economist, whether Cantabrigian or not. The only people Sraffa thanks are three mathematicians: ‘My greatest debt is to Professor A.S.Besicovitch for invaluable mathematical help over many years. I am also indebted for similar help at different periods to the late Mr Frank Ramsey and to Mr Alister Watson’ (ibid.: vi-vii). In a provisional draft of the book’s preface, written in Rapallo on 3 January 1959, Sraffa had also thanked David Champernowne amongst his ‘mathematical friends’ (Sraffa Papers (SP) D3/12/46:49).2
