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GIBBON, Edward (1737-94). The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. London: W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1776-1788. 6 volumes, 4° (267 x 213mm). Half-title in vol.I only, engraved frontispiece portrait by Hall after Reynolds misbound in vol. II, 3 folding engraved maps. (Lacks half-titles of vols. II-VI, frontispiece and maps spotted, one map detached, some light spotting throughout, heavier in a few gatherings in vol.II, gathering H in vol.III, and c. 20 leaves in vol. IV, small waterstain in upper margin of first few leaves in vol. IV.) Contemporary marbled calf, gilt border on covers (rebacked, front cover of vol. VI recornered, other corners bumped, some rubbing, foredges of vols. III-VI a little ink stained). Provenance: Robert Gathorne Hardy (bookplate).
FIRST EDITION, without the corrected errata in vol. I and with cancels G1 and L1 in vol. II. Decline and Fall ranks as a 'masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style' and despite the numerous later works devoted to this voluminous subject remains 'the only historical narrative prior to Macaulay which continues to be reprinted and actually read' (PMM). During the publication of the first edition, the publisher Strahan predicted the popularity of the work and doubled the print run from 500 to 1000 copies, necessitating resetting of sheets. Strahan's instincts proved correct, and the entire first thousand copies sold out in a fortnight. 'Gibbon's style is probably the most exclusive in literature. By its very nature it bars out a great multitude of human energies' (Lytton Strachey Portraits in Miniature). Grolier English 58; Norton 20, 23, 29; PMM 222; Rothschild 942.
FIRST EDITION, without the corrected errata in vol. I and with cancels G1 and L1 in vol. II. Decline and Fall ranks as a 'masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style' and despite the numerous later works devoted to this voluminous subject remains 'the only historical narrative prior to Macaulay which continues to be reprinted and actually read' (PMM). During the publication of the first edition, the publisher Strahan predicted the popularity of the work and doubled the print run from 500 to 1000 copies, necessitating resetting of sheets. Strahan's instincts proved correct, and the entire first thousand copies sold out in a fortnight. 'Gibbon's style is probably the most exclusive in literature. By its very nature it bars out a great multitude of human energies' (Lytton Strachey Portraits in Miniature). Grolier English 58; Norton 20, 23, 29; PMM 222; Rothschild 942.