Edward GibbonBiblio.com
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1776rif. 550 - 749 - 745Publisher and Year: London: W. Strahan and T. Cadell 1776 Vol. 1 1781 Vols. 2-3 1788 Vols. 4-6 Edition: First editions of all volumes except for the first volume which is a second edition June 1776 released within months of the first February 1776. The first volume went through three editions before the second volume was released. Norton 1940 Condition and Description: Large quarto bound in late-19th or early 20th-century calf gilt and blind rolls to the boards six spine compartments stamped with gilt floral ornaments dark red morocco spine labels edges dyed yellow marbled endpapers. All volumes retain the half-title leaves Vol. 1 contains the frontispiece engraving and all three maps are present two in Vol. 2 and one in Vol. 3 as called for. Secure hinges and binding. Rubbing scuffs handling marks and some areas of discoloration to the boards and labels. Upper-left corner of the rear board of Vol. 1 has a patch of loss to the upper layer of the leather. Some tips bumped and exposed. Frontispiece portrait of Vol. 1 with moderate foxing to the verso; that portrait has also offset onto the title leaf as usual. Contents largely clean across volumes with occasional instances of minor or moderate foxing. Unobtrusive bookseller ticket of Henry Sotheran to the verso of each front free endpaper near the gutter. Old bookseller note in pencil to the verso of the rear free endpaper of Vol. 1 recording the edition status of the volumes and the price at the time of £65 given the price this would have been written many decades ago. A similar note in pencil appears at the end of Vol. 2. The bookbinder also records a few small notes in pencil a common practice to ensure correct binding sequences. Though easily erasable we believe the pencil notes are worth keeping as part of the set's history. Overall a handsome set with excellent shelf presence. - The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is widely regarded as a landmark in the development of modern historical writing because it combined a large-scale narrative with systematic evaluation of historical evidence. The work draws extensively on ancient primary sources and documents them in detailed footnotes comparing accounts and judging their reliability rather than simply repeating earlier historians. Gibbon explained the transformation and collapse of the Roman world through multiple interacting causes including political instability military pressures institutional change and the growing role of Christianity an argument that provoked intense debate and controversy. The narrative traces the Roman Empire from the height of its power through the history of Byzantium to the fall of Constantinople in 1453 helping to frame the Roman and medieval worlds as part of a continuous historical process. Because of its critical use of primary sources analytical explanations and sweeping chronological scope the book became one of the most influential historical works of the eighteenth century and a model for later historians. Inventory ID: 550 - 749 - 745 W. Strahan and T. Cadell hardcover
1906rif. 98478New York: Fred Defau & Company 1906. The Complete Works of Edward Gibbon one of numbered 73 sets this is number 7. Octavo 15 volumes bound in full dark blue levant morocco inlaid red tulips at the corners of boards and center of each spine raised bands gilt titles to the spine brown morocco doublures and watered silk flyleaves binding by MacDonald plates in three states: photogravure colored on India paper and printed on velin. In fine condition. An exceptional set most rare and desirable. "This masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style has remained one of the ageless historical works Gibbon brought a width of vision and a critical mastery of the available sources which have not been equalled to this day; and the result was clothed in inimitable prose" PMM 222. "For 22 years Gibbon was a prodigy of steady and arduous application. His investigations extended over almost the whole range of intellectual activity for nearly 1500 years. And so thorough were his methods that the laborious investigations of German scholarship the keen criticisms of theological zeal and the steady researches of two centuries have brought to light very few important errors in the results of his labors. But it is not merely the learning of his work learned as it is that gives it character as a history. It is also that ingenious skill by which the vast erudition the boundless range the infinite variety and the gorgeous magnificence of the details are all wrought together in a symmetrical whole. It is still entitled to be esteemed as the greatest historical work ever written" Adams Manual of Historical Literature 146-7. Fred Defau & Company hardcover
1788rif. 160730004London: W. Strahan and T. Cadell 1788. First Edition. Very Good. Complete in six volumes. All First Editions except volume 1 which is a Second Edition. Large quarto. Full contemporary mid-brown calf with early 20th century rebacks vol. 1 fully renewed at the same time and replaced endpapers raised bands red lettering piece and black numbering piece. Tips worn and exposed boards edge-worn. Sporadic light foxing throughout. A handful of small closed tears and marginal stains. Vol. 1 has some offsetting from engraved frontispiece portrait to title page as well as heavy foxing to both; first page of preface torn and missing about half; small wax stain on pages 471-4. Vol. 2: both maps present with small marginal tears but no loss. Vol. 3: binder mistakenly placed duplicate of map "The western Part of the Roman Empire" in previous volume rather than "The eastern Part." map. An attractive set of Gibbons' magnificent history. W. Strahan and T. Cadell unknown
1788rif. 160730004London: W. Strahan and T. Cadell 1788. First Edition. Very Good. Complete in six volumes. All First Editions except volume 1 which is a Second Edition. Large quarto. Full contemporary mid-brown calf with early 20th century rebacks vol. 1 fully renewed at the same time and replaced endpapers raised bands red lettering piece and black numbering piece. Tips worn and exposed boards edge-worn. Sporadic light foxing throughout. A handful of small closed tears and marginal stains. Vol. 1 has some offsetting from engraved frontispiece portrait to title page as well as heavy foxing to both; first page of preface torn and missing about half; small wax stain on pages 471-4. Vol. 2: both maps present with small marginal tears but no loss. Vol. 3: binder mistakenly placed duplicate of map "The western Part of the Roman Empire" in previous volume rather than "The eastern Part." map. An attractive set of Gibbons' magnificent history. W. Strahan and T. Cadell unknown books
1782rif. 140394London: Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell in the Strand 1782-1788. Rare early editions of the historian's masterpiece. Quarto 6 volumes bound in full paper boards 3 folding engraved maps. The frontispiece portrait of Gibbon is after Sir Joshua Reynolds the three engraved folding maps are of the Western and Eastern Roman Empire and a folding map of Constantinople this map is in its original folded issue instead of the more common method of having the plate trimmed to the margin and inserted; it is more rare in this folded state. In near fine condition. "This masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style has remained one of the ageless historical works Gibbon brought a width of vision and a critical mastery of the available sources which have not been equalled to this day; and the result was clothed in inimitable prose" PMM 222. "For 22 years Gibbon was a prodigy of steady and arduous application. His investigations extended over almost the whole range of intellectual activity for nearly 1500 years. And so thorough were his methods that the laborious investigations of German scholarship the keen criticisms of theological zeal and the steady researches of two centuries have brought to light very few important errors in the results of his labors. But it is not merely the learning of his work learned as it is that gives it character as a history. It is also that ingenious skill by which the vast erudition the boundless range the infinite variety and the gorgeous magnificence of the details are all wrought together in a symmetrical whole. It is still entitled to be esteemed as the greatest historical work ever written" Adams Manual of Historical Literature 146-7. Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell, in the Strand hardcover
1782rif. 144652London: Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell in the Strand 1782-1788. Rare first edition set of Gibbon's masterpiece with only volume I being a second edition. Quarto 6 volumes bound in full diced calf with gilt titles and tooling to the spine gilt scrolling and flueron cornerpieces to the front and rear panels gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles marbled endpapers all edges speckled black engraved frontispiece portrait of Gibbon by John Hall after Sir Joshua Reynolds & map of the "Eastern Part of the Roman Empire" in Vol. II.; map of the "Western Part of the Roman Empire" in Vol. III. Volume I is a second edition volumes II-VI are first editions. In good condition Vols. I and II rebacked. Armorial bookplate of C. Codrington to each pastedown vol. III with a small strip of marbled paper tipped to front free endpaper repair to Map of the Western Empire. A nice set. "This masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style has remained one of the ageless historical works Gibbon brought a width of vision and a critical mastery of the available sources which have not been equalled to this day; and the result was clothed in inimitable prose" PMM 222. "For 22 years Gibbon was a prodigy of steady and arduous application. His investigations extended over almost the whole range of intellectual activity for nearly 1500 years. And so thorough were his methods that the laborious investigations of German scholarship the keen criticisms of theological zeal and the steady researches of two centuries have brought to light very few important errors in the results of his labors. But it is not merely the learning of his work learned as it is that gives it character as a history. It is also that ingenious skill by which the vast erudition the boundless range the infinite variety and the gorgeous magnificence of the details are all wrought together in a symmetrical whole. It is still entitled to be esteemed as the greatest historical work ever written" Adams Manual of Historical Literature 146-7. Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell, in the Strand hardcover
1788rif. 176083London: printed for A. Strahan; and T. Cadell 1788-89. In superlative condition First editions of Volumes IV to VI final quarto editions of Volumes I to III: a superb set of Gibbon's magisterial history in the original boards entirely unopened and in an exceptionally fresh state of preservation without repair. The publishers issued the 1789 "new edition" of the first three volumes with first edition copies of the final three as a uniform complete set. The first three were originally published from 1776 to 1781 and reprinted a few times in the same quarto format; this "new edition" is the final in quarto. The latter three volumes published in 1788 are the first and only editions in quarto. Subsequent editions were published in the smaller and cheaper octavo format. "This masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style has remained one of the ageless historical works which. maintain their hold upon the layman and continue to stimulate the scholar although they have been superseded in many if not most details by subsequent advances of research and changes in the climate of opinion. Gibbon brought a width of vision and a critical mastery of the available sources which have not been equalled to this day; and the result was clothed in an inimitable prose" PMM. 6 vols quarto. Engraved portrait frontispiece by Hall after Joshua Reynolds in vol. I; folding map in vols I & II single-sheet map in vol. III. Uncut in original boards contemporary manuscript lettering to spines. Trivial spots of wear and tiny splits at joint ends sporadic very light foxing but effectively a fine set. Norton 28 & 29; Printing and the Mind of Man 222 first edition. hardcover
1777rif. 21436London: Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell 1777-78 1777. Book. Very Good Plus. Full Leather. First Edition. Quarto. Six volumes: all First Editions except volume I the Third Edition. Large quarto. Pp. vi 14 704; 12 640 2 errata leaf; 12 640 2 errata leaf; 4 viii 8 620; 12 684; 14 646 51 index 1 errata. Engraved frontis portrait of Gibbon by John Hall after Joshua Reynolds 3 folding maps. With half-titles in all volumes except volume I and all errata leaves. Contemporary polished calf recently rebacked with gilt rules between raised bands and original lettering pieces laid down. Minor scratches to covers corners and edges moderately worn very occasional toning and spotting to leaves early signature on margin of title of volume I later bookplates in all volumes. Overall an excellent set clean and crisp internally in suitably restored bindings. This set is comprised of First Editions of all volumes except for the first volume which is from the Third Edition. Gibbon's masterful history of the Roman Empire was issued in six quarto volumes over the course of twelve years between 1776 and 1788. Modest expectations on the part of both author and publisher regarding the market for such an imposing work resulted in an initial printing of only 1000 copies of the original printing. This proved a serious miscalculation of the demand and subsequently made complete sets of the first edition difficult to come by. Within a fortnight the first edition was completely sold out. "I am at a loss" wrote Gibbon in his Memoirs "how to describe the success of the work without betraying the vanity of the writer. The first impression was exhausted within a few days; a second and third edition were scarcely adequate to the demand and the bookseller's property was twice invaded by the pyrates of Dublin. My book was on every table and almost every toilette; the historian was crowned by the taste or fashion of the day." Gibbon Miscellaneous Works and Memoirs. 2nd ed. London 1814 Vol. I. p. 223. The third edition appeared in 1777 a year after the first and second printings. Issued in an edition of 1000 copies it was more fully revised and corrected than the second which merely incorporated the errata. At the suggestion of Gibbon's friend David Hume the copious notes which previously had been gathered in the rear of the volume were now transferred to the bottom of the page. This improved format was continued throughout the remaining volumes. In combining the third edition of the first volume with the first edition of the remainder as in the present case a uniformly annotated set is thereby achieved. In 1780 the frontis portrait of Gibbon engraved by John Hall after a painting of Joshua Reynolds was issued by the publisher. With the publication of the second and third volumes in 1781 an enlarged table of contents was made available for the first volume as well as 3 folding maps all present in this copy. The map of Constantinople was frequently cropped to make it the same size as the printed page and then bound in sideways. Fewer copies exist among them the present where the wide margins were retained and the map bound in folded and the right way up. Norton J. E. A Bibliography of the Works of Ed. Gibbon. Oxford 1940. Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell, 1777-78 Hardcover
1968rif. SBBIH-BVKI7QG4KUB2Burke Publishing 1968. paperback. Acceptable. Please see the condition note after this for details if this is missing please consider Acceptable to mean poor quality that could include major staining water damage writing missing dustjacket etc etc. Our books are dispatched from a Yorkshire former cotton mill. We list via barcode/ISBN so please note that the images are stock images and may not be the exact copy you receive furthermore the details about edition and year might not be accurate as many publishers reuse the same ISBN for multiple editions and as we simply scan a barcode or enter an ISBN we do not check the validity of the edition data when listing. If you're looking for an exact edition please don't order at least not without checking with us first although we don't always have time to check. We aim to dispatch prompty the service used will depend on order value and book size. We can ship to most countries see our shipping policies. Payment is via Abe only. Burke Publishing paperback
rif. 121808London Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell in the Strand 1776-1788. . First editions vol. I in second state; 6 vols; 4to 295 x 235 mm; 3 folding-maps vol. I second state with errata corrected in print as far as p.248 and p.xxv of notes thereafter corrected in MS by pen Preface correctly dated 'February 1st 1776' bookplate to front pastedown of vol. I lacking the portrait in vol. II all vols bound without half-titles pencil note to margins of vol. V p.179 occasional spotting; later sprinkle calf rebacked contrasting red and green morocco lettering-pieces to spine hinges reinforced covers slightly rubbed and abraded; iii-viii 16 586 2 lxxxviii 2; 10 640 2; 10 640 2; 2 viii 8 620; 10 684; 12 646 52pp. First edition one of 1000 copies of Gibbon's 'masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style' PMM. A monumental work spanning nearly 1500 years of history which has remained controversial since its first appearance. Gibbon argued that Rome's fall was the 'natural and inevitable effect of immoderate greatness. Prosperity ripened the principle of decay; the causes of destruction multiplied with the extent of conquest; and as soon as time or accident had removed the artificial supports the stupendous fabric yielded to the pressure of its own weight' c.38 p.523. As a result this hollow empire succumbed easily to the twin forces of barbarianism and Christianity which had been gaining momentum over the course of the fourth century AD. Although attacked for his perceived irreligion Gibbon's work received many positive reviews and has since become a cornerstone text in the study of Western history. Writing to Gibbon in December 1788 his friend Adam Smith noted that 'by the universal assent of every man of taste and learning. Decline and Fall sets you at the very head of the whole literary tribe at present existing in Europe' ODNB. Illustrated with three folding engraved maps showing the extent of the Roman Empire. ESTC T78356 T78360 T78362 & T78365; Norton 20 23 & 29; PMM 222; Rothschild 942. London, Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell, in the Strand, 1776-1788. unknown
1776rif. 145050London: Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell In The Strand 1776-1788. First edition first state of Gibbon's "masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style" PMM. Quarto six volumes bound in modern half calf over marbled boards by Bayntun-Riviere with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands all edges speckled red engraved frontispiece portrait of Gibbon by John Hall after Sir Joshua Reynolds in Vol. II three engraved folding maps half-titles in vols. I-III and V all 4 errata leaves lacking half-titles in vols. IV and VI vol. I with half-title. Strahan predicted the popularity of Gibbon's History and doubled the print run from 500 to 1000 copies during the publication process entailing the resetting of some sheets. Vol. I is in the first state with the cancellans leaves as described by Rothschild and the errata uncorrected. The gatherings a b and the author portrait are bound in the second volume. Grolier English 58; PMM 222; Rothschild 942. L4 restored at gutter with small loss to the text light dampstaining to the frontispiece portrait contemporary ownership inscription to the first title trimmed by the binder. In near fine condition. A very nice example. "This masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style has remained one of the ageless historical works Gibbon brought a width of vision and a critical mastery of the available sources which have not been equalled to this day; and the result was clothed in inimitable prose" PMM 222. "For 22 years Gibbon was a prodigy of steady and arduous application. His investigations extended over almost the whole range of intellectual activity for nearly 1500 years. And so thorough were his methods that the laborious investigations of German scholarship the keen criticisms of theological zeal and the steady researches of two centuries have brought to light very few important errors in the results of his labors. But it is not merely the learning of his work learned as it is that gives it character as a history. It is also that ingenious skill by which the vast erudition the boundless range the infinite variety and the gorgeous magnificence of the details are all wrought together in a symmetrical whole. It is still entitled to be esteemed as the greatest historical work ever written" Adams Manual of Historical Literature 146-7. Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell, In The Strand hardcover
1932rif. 124744London: Jarrolds Publishers 1932-1934. First editions of each volume of Gibbon's classic trilogy describing the life of Chris Guthrie a woman from the north-east of Scotland during the early 20th century each volume inscribed by him to George Malcolm Thomson. Octavo original cloth 3 volumes. Sunset Song is inscribed on the title page "For G. Malcolm Thomson L. Grassic Gibbon." Cloud Howe is the dedication copy inscribed on the title page "For the 'dedicatee' with kind regards. L. Grassic Gibbon." Grey Granite is inscribed on the title page "For George Malcolm Thomson with good wishes L. Grassic Gibbon." Each are in very good condition. Rare and desirable signed and inscribed. A Scots Quair is revolutionary - innovative in its form deft and humorous in its use of language courageous in its characterization and politics. Central to the trilogy is Chris Guthrie one of the most remarkable female characters in modern literature. In Sunset Song Gibbon's finest achievement the reader follows Chris through her girlhood in a tight-knit Scottish farming community: the seasons the weddings the funerals the grind of work the gossip. As the Great War takes its toll machines replace the old way of life. Cloud Howe and Grey Granite take Chris from her rural homeland to life in an industrial Scotland and the desperate years of the Depression. Gibbon attracted attention from his earliest attempts at fiction notably from H. G. Wells but it was his trilogy entitled A Scots Quair and in particular its first book Sunset Song with which he made his mark. A Scots Quair with its combination of stream-of-consciousness lyrical use of dialect and social realism is considered to be among the defining works of the 20th century Scottish Renaissance. All three parts of the trilogy have been turned into serials by BBC Scotland written by Bill Craig with Vivien Heilbron as Chris. Additionally Sunset Song has been adapted into a film released in 2015. Jarrolds Publishers hardcover
1776rif. 68352London: Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell 1776. London: Printed for A. Strahan; and T. Cadell 1776-1788. First edition. Six volumes quarto 10 3/4 x 8 1/2 inches; 270 x 220 mm. Engraved portrait of Gibbon by Hall after Reynolds not usually found bound in volume II. With three engraved folding maps bound in volume II one of them normally found in volume III. With all the half titles and the errata leaves in Volumes I II III and VI Volume VI errata covers volumes IV V and VI. With twelve pages of Contents for Volume I at the beginning of Volume II. Volume I has more than half of the errata uncorrected which would make it an intermediate state. According to Sterling " Vol. I only was published in 1776. It was originally planned to print 500 copies of this first edition but after 26 sheets were completed it was decided to increase the number to 1000. The type of the earlier sheets had by that time been distributed so when they were set up again the opportunity was taken to correct the numerous errata and to print the text of the cancel leaves which for some unknown reason had been substituted for the original leaves. Vols. II and III were were published together in 1781." In Volume III p. 177 is correctly numbered and "Honorious" is left uncorrected on p. 179 line 18. G1 and Ll1 cancels in volume 2 signed G and Ll H3 and L2 cancels in volume 4 the latter signed L2. The engraved portrait of Gibbon was issued separately in 1780. Contemporary tree calf all volumes attractively and uniformly rebacked. Gilt spines with gilt tool in compartments morocco spine labels lettered in gilt and small morocco lozenge with volume numbers. All edges yellow. Extremities slightly rubbed. Some light intermittent foxing but generally very clean. Small bookplate on front pastedown of each volume. With a repaired closed tear to the last leaf of volume II. Overall a very good set. A "masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style" Gibbon's Decline and Fall brought to the subject a width of vision and a critical mastery of the available sources which have not been equaled to this day. "This masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style has remained one of the ageless historical works which like the writings of Macaulay and Mommsen maintain their hold upon the layman and continue to stimulate the scholar although they have been superseded in many if not most details by subsequent advance of research and changes in the climate of opinion. Whereas other eighteenth-century writers in this field such as Voltaire are still quoted with respect the Decline and Fall is the only historical narrative prior to Macaulay which continues to be reprinted and actually read" Printing and the Mind of Man. Although superseded in many respects by two centuries of continuous research this great work is still read both for pleasure and for profit and has achieved an eminence denied most historical compilations of its kind. Grolier 100 English 58. Norton 20 23 and 29. Printing and the Mind of Man 222. Rothschild 942-944. Sterling 382. HBS 68352. $26500. Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell unknown
1776rif. 68352London: Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell 1776. London: Printed for A. Strahan; and T. Cadell 1776-1788. First edition. Six volumes quarto 10 3/4 x 8 1/2 inches; 270 x 220 mm. Engraved portrait of Gibbon by Hall after Reynolds not usually found bound in volume II. With three engraved folding maps bound in volume II one of them normally found in volume III. With all the half titles and the errata leaves in Volumes I II III and VI Volume VI errata covers volumes IV V and VI. With twelve pages of Contents for Volume I at the beginning of Volume II. Volume I has more than half of the errata uncorrected which would make it an intermediate state. According to Sterling " Vol. I only was published in 1776. It was originally planned to print 500 copies of this first edition but after 26 sheets were completed it was decided to increase the number to 1000. The type of the earlier sheets had by that time been distributed so when they were set up again the opportunity was taken to correct the numerous errata and to print the text of the cancel leaves which for some unknown reason had been substituted for the original leaves. Vols. II and III were were published together in 1781." In Volume III p. 177 is correctly numbered and "Honorious" is left uncorrected on p. 179 line 18. G1 and Ll1 cancels in volume 2 signed G and Ll H3 and L2 cancels in volume 4 the latter signed L2. The engraved portrait of Gibbon was issued separately in 1780. Contemporary tree calf all volumes attractively and uniformly rebacked. Gilt spines with gilt tool in compartments morocco spine labels lettered in gilt and small morocco lozenge with volume numbers. All edges yellow. Extremities slightly rubbed. Some light intermittent foxing but generally very clean. Small bookplate on front pastedown of each volume. With a repaired closed tear to the last leaf of volume II. Overall a very good set. A "masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style" Gibbon's Decline and Fall brought to the subject a width of vision and a critical mastery of the available sources which have not been equaled to this day. "This masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style has remained one of the ageless historical works which like the writings of Macaulay and Mommsen maintain their hold upon the layman and continue to stimulate the scholar although they have been superseded in many if not most details by subsequent advance of research and changes in the climate of opinion. Whereas other eighteenth-century writers in this field such as Voltaire are still quoted with respect the Decline and Fall is the only historical narrative prior to Macaulay which continues to be reprinted and actually read" Printing and the Mind of Man. Although superseded in many respects by two centuries of continuous research this great work is still read both for pleasure and for profit and has achieved an eminence denied most historical compilations of its kind. Grolier 100 English 58. Norton 20 23 and 29. Printing and the Mind of Man 222. Rothschild 942-944. Sterling 382. HBS 68352. $26500. Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell unknown books
1776rif. C68017London: W. Strahan & T. Cadell 1776. First Editions. Hardbacks. . Very Good. First Editions. Hardbacks. 6 volumes 4tos. 1776-1788. All half titles present.Vol. I with engraved portrait frontispiece by Hall after Joshua Reynolds Vol. II: full-sheet folding map of the Eastern Roman Empire by Thomas Kitchin dated 1 January 1781 bound before p.1 half-sheet map of Constantinople and environs by Thomas Kitchin dated 1 January 1781 bound at p.22. Both in excellent condition. Vol. III: full-sheet folding map of the Western Roman Empire by Thomas Kitchin dated 1 January 1781 before p.1 p.177 correctly numbered p.179 line 18 reading ""Honorious"". Errata at ends of Vols123 and 6 which also has errata for volumes 4 & 5. FIRST EDITION FIRST STATE OF THIS ÔMASTERPIECE OF HISTORICAL PENETRATION AND LITERARY STYLE' which remains despite the numerous later works devoted to this voluminous subject 'the only historical narrative prior to Macaulay which continues to be reprinted and actually read' PMM. 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. Royal provenance --each volume has the armorial bookplate of the Chapter Library at Windsor Castle with the motto 'Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense' and a shield with a cross. There is a stamp beneath stating 'From the Chapter Library at Windsor Castle Sold by the order of the Dean and Canons January 1948.' A later card is tipped in of T D Weldon 1896-1958 of Magdalen College Oxford presumably the 1948 buyer of the set. He was a philosopher fellow of the college friend of CS Lewis. Magdalen College was also Edward Gibbon's old alma mater. He went there in 1752. Loosely inserted is an autograph scrip credit note signed 11 May 1786 'Bon pour cent livres Blondel 100 livres E Gibbon ce 11 Mai 1786' written in black ink on verso o f playing card ten of diamonds stencil-printed in red 5.9 x 9.2 cm tipped to modern leaf of card annotated in pencil together with a similar playing card nine of clubs loose unsigned. An excellent totally authentic Gibbon signature. Gibbon had retired to Lausanne to live with his friend Georges Deyverdun in 1783. By 1787 he had finished the manuscript of the final three volumes of the Decline. 'Blondel' was his valet de chambre. He wrote to his friend Lord Sheffield in March 1785 ÒI have been singularly lucky and you will conceive a high opinion of Blondel my new Valet de ChambreÉÕ Full brown calf lettered gilt at the spine 5 raised bands. Contemporary leather binding with spines skillfully and atttractively renewed very likely in the last 50 years. Very good indeed. Bright clean copies with very clean text slight rubbing at corners. W. Strahan & T. Cadell, hardcover
1776rif. 129094London: Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell 1776-1788. Rare full first edition set first state of volume one of Gibbon's landmark work of historiography with three engraved folding maps by Kitchin of the Western and Eastern Roman Empire and of Constantinople and frontispiece portrait of Gibbon. Quarto 6 volumes bound in three quarter calf over marbled boards with gilt titles and tooling to the spine. Vol. I: undated engraved portrait frontispiece by Hall after Joshua Reynolds 12pp. contents x4 and a4 are cancels errata leaf; Vol. II: full-sheet folding map of the Eastern Roman Empire by Thomas Kitchin dated 1 January 1781 bound before p.1 half-sheet map of Constantinople and environs by Thomas Kitchin dated 1 January 1781 bound before p.22. G1 and Ll1 are cancels errata leaf; Vol. III: full-sheet folding map of the Western Roman Empire by Thomas Kitchin dated 1 January 1781 before p.1 p.177 correctly numbered p.179 line 18 reading "Honorious" errata leaf; Vol. IV: H3 and L2 are cancels; Vol. VI: errata for volumes IV-VI on 4Uv. First edition first state of Vol. I with cancels x4 and a4 so signed and with the balance of the errata uncorrected. While the first volume was on the press Strahan decided to increase the print run from 500 to 1000 copies; the second 500 or so copies constituting the second state have the errata corrected through p.183 here uncorrected. The portrait frontispiece and 12pp. of contents issued with volume II are bound in to volume I. From the library of Steve and Peggy Fossett with their estate bookplate to each pastedown. James Stephen “Steve” Fossett with his bookplate to the pastedown of each volume. American businessman and record-setting aviator Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo nonstop around the world in 2002 in his 10-story high balloon Spirit of Freedom. He completed the 2002 trip in 13 days 8 hours and 33 minutes and set records for both the Longest Distance Flown Solo in a Balloon and Fastest Balloon Flight Around the World. Fossett was also one of sailing’s most prolific distance record holders set the Absolute World Speed Record for airships with a Zeppelin NT in 2004. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career including aviation’s highest award the Gold Medal of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale FAI which he was awarded in 2002. Fossett disappeared on September 3 2007 while flying a light aircraft over the Great Basin Desert between Nevada and California. A rare and desirable full first edition set of Gibbon's masterpiece with noted provenance. "This masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style has remained one of the ageless historical works Gibbon brought a width of vision and a critical mastery of the available sources which have not been equalled to this day; and the result was clothed in inimitable prose" PMM 222. "For 22 years Gibbon was a prodigy of steady and arduous application. His investigations extended over almost the whole range of intellectual activity for nearly 1500 years. And so thorough were his methods that the laborious investigations of German scholarship the keen criticisms of theological zeal and the steady researches of two centuries have brought to light very few important errors in the results of his labors. But it is not merely the learning of his work learned as it is that gives it character as a history. It is also that ingenious skill by which the vast erudition the boundless range the infinite variety and the gorgeous magnificence of the details are all wrought together in a symmetrical whole. It is still entitled to be esteemed as the greatest historical work ever written" Adams Manual of Historical Literature 146-7. Printed for W. Strahan; and T. Cadell hardcover
1776rif. 191127London: for A. Strahan; and T. Cadell 1776-88. The apogee of Enlightenment history First edition of Gibbon's magnum opus one of the great products of the Enlightenment and among the most influential of all histories. This set is one of only 500 possible examples with the first volume in the first state. For the editors of Printing and the Mind of Man "this masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style has remained one of the ageless historical works" PMM. The initial print run for volume I was 500 copies but popular anticipation led the publishers to double the run during production. 500 copies of the first 28 sheets had already been printed complete with corrected cancel leaves at X4 and a4. When the extra 500 copies of these sheets were printed these corrections were included in the text eliminating the need for the original cancels. This set includes the original printings of the first 28 sheets with cancel leaves at X4 and a4. The first volume was published with great fanfare in February 1776; the second and third were published in March 1781 and the final three in May 1788. 6 vols quarto 269 x 212 mm. Engraved portrait frontispiece dated 1780 to vol. I 2 folding engraved maps in vol. II folding map in vol. III. All vols bound with half-titles errata leaves in vols. I II III and VI as called for vol. VI bound without final blank. Early 19th-century panelled calf rebacked with spines laid down spines decorated and ruled in gilt and with red and brown morocco labels covers with single-fillet panel in gilt. With mid-20th-century bookplate of the physician William Binns Cowper of the Royal Army Medical Corps during World War II to all vols. Light bumping and rubbing faint toning and spotting to contents short closed tears to inner margins of first map of vol. II and map of vol. III repaired marginal tears to 4H2 of vol. II and H3 of vol. III errata leaf of vol. III misbound after preliminaries: overall a very good set. ESTC T78356 T78360 T78362; T78365. Grolier English 58; Norton 20 23 29; Printing and the Mind of Man 222; Rothschild 942. unknown
