![GIBBON, Edward (1737-1794). The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume the First [-Sixth]. London: for W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1776-1788.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2017/CKS/2017_CKS_14301_0135_000(gibbon_edward_the_history_of_the_decline_and_fall_of_the_roman_empire093332).jpg?w=1)
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GIBBON, Edward (1737-1794). The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Volume the First [-Sixth]. London: for W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1776-1788.
First edition of all volumes, second corrected issue of volume I. 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). Gibbon was fortunate in the choice of his publisher, William Strahan, friend of Dr Johnson, Benjamin Franklin and David Hume, who with Cadell also published Adam Smith and James Macpherson. During the publication of the first edition, Strahan predicted the popularity of the work and doubled the print run from 500 to 1000 copies, entailing resetting of sheets. Strahan's instincts proved correct, and the entire first thousand copies sold out in a fortnight. PMM 222; Rothschild 942.
6 volumes, quarto (276 x 213mm). Half-titles. Engraved frontispiece portrait of Gibbon after Joshua Reynolds, 3 engraved folding maps, errata leaves in vols. I-III and VI as called for (occasional spotting and browning, some marginal dampstaining in vol. IV, repaired tear in margin of l4 in vol. I, without the 6 Contents leaves *a4-*b2 intended for vol. I but issued with vol. II). Contemporary speckled calf (rebacked preserving most of the original spine, labels renewed). Provenance: Thomas Walpole MP (1727-1803; bookplate).
First edition of all volumes, second corrected issue of volume I. 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). Gibbon was fortunate in the choice of his publisher, William Strahan, friend of Dr Johnson, Benjamin Franklin and David Hume, who with Cadell also published Adam Smith and James Macpherson. During the publication of the first edition, Strahan predicted the popularity of the work and doubled the print run from 500 to 1000 copies, entailing resetting of sheets. Strahan's instincts proved correct, and the entire first thousand copies sold out in a fortnight. PMM 222; Rothschild 942.
6 volumes, quarto (276 x 213mm). Half-titles. Engraved frontispiece portrait of Gibbon after Joshua Reynolds, 3 engraved folding maps, errata leaves in vols. I-III and VI as called for (occasional spotting and browning, some marginal dampstaining in vol. IV, repaired tear in margin of l4 in vol. I, without the 6 Contents leaves *a4-*b2 intended for vol. I but issued with vol. II). Contemporary speckled calf (rebacked preserving most of the original spine, labels renewed). Provenance: Thomas Walpole MP (1727-1803; bookplate).
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