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Edward Gibbon's masterpiece, FIRST EDITION of Vols II-VI, THIRD EDITION of vol I.

GIBBON, EDWARD

History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire

London: W. Strahan & T. Caddell, 1777
  • $7,500.00

FIRST EDITION of Vols II-VI, THIRD EDITION of vol I. This is the first issue of Volume I to set Gibbon’s footnotes at page-bottom instead of an the end of the volume, a major iomprovement in readability. “To [his] task 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).

Six volumes. Quarto. Rebound in period style quarter calf over marbled boards, the spines gilt with red morocco title and volume labels. An attractive and desirable set. Clean throughout.