Books

8vo. Uniformly bound in full speckled calf. Besides the frontispiece, vol. I contains a very nice folding map (measuring about 17' square), dated 1781, and showing the 'Eastern Part of the Roman Empire' designed by Thomas Kitchin. Vol. II contains an equally nice (although smaller) folding map, also by Kitchin and dated 1781, showing 'Parts of Europe and Asia adjacent to Constantinople'. Vol. XII contains a comprehensive General Index to the work. This is a most attractive set, internally, each volume is in very good condition, being tight, clean and little soiled by age Internally, with little age-toning, or foxing, and no markings, or scribblings. However, the bindings are in a less than desirable state. It may be taken that the binding of each volume has some defect, whether split joints, or tape remains. Altogether, this is an ideal candidate to be re-bound by the new owner, who would otherwise have just cause to be proud of this fine work. THE OXFORD COMPANION TO ENGLISH LITERATURE calls 'The History.' 'the most celebrated historical work in English literature' (p. 261). Gibbon (1727-1794) formed his plan of the 'History' during a tour of Italy in 1764-65. The first volume was issued in 1776 (in quarto size), followed by volumes II and III in 1781, and the last three volumes in 1788. It covers the period from the age of Trajan and the Antoines to the taking of Constantinople by the Turks in 1453. Subsequently re-published in 1783 in an octavo edition, of which this is 'A New Edition', in twelve volumes, with the frontispiece (in vol. I, of Gibbon) from the 1780 edition. Norton 40.

Published in six volumes between 1776 and 1788, this extensive work by Edward Gibbon provides a detailed history of the decline of the Roman Empire.