Books

Six volumes; quarto, with textblock 11.1 x 9 inches. First edition of each volume; volume 1 in first state with cancels and uncorrected errata. Currently an unattractive set in contemporary calf with loss and flaking to spines, split joints, recent endpapers, and marginal tidelines to some leaves. Nevertheless, save for some blanks and half titles the work is complete, with wide margins [Norton notes leaves uncut to be 11 9/16 x 9 3/8 inches], and as such may be an appealing project for restoration. Vol. I: lacks half title; retains one original blank at front; frontispiece and Contents bound in (from II). Preface dated Feb. 1, 1776; cancels at X4 and a4 so signed; errata leaf present with closed tear. Frontispiece stained, offsetting to title page. Tideline to top right corner of fore-edge, with mild intrusion to margin of forty or so leaves and more pronounced effect to six. Pages 242 and 243 a touch grubby. Short closed tear to margin of 329. Front hinge starting. Vol. II: half title present. Tideline to left of fore-edge running the length of textblock, intruding well into the margin up to p. 70 and to top corner up to p. 225. Cancels G1 and Ll1 signed *G and *Ll respectively. Large folding map; the Constantinople map has been trimmed to page-size. Four sections with foxing: Hh-Kk2 [10 leaves]; 3D4-3F [6 leaves]; 3G4-3I3 [8 leaves]; 3L4-3N1 [6 leaves]. A few spots of light foxing to pp. 593-602. Closed tear to lower margin p. 582. Errata uncorrected; errata leaf grubby. Original rear blank retained. Upper board nearly detached. Vol. III: lacks half title. Folding map; 177 not misnumbered; 179 Honourious not corrected. Foxing up to p. 25; pp. 78-9 a touch grubby; light foxing to a few leaves; inked note to verso of errata leaf; retains original blank at rear. Both boards detached. Vol. IV: lacks half title. Cancels H3 and L2 signed H3 and *L2. Light foxing to a few leaves. Front hinge starting; retains original blank at rear. Vol. V: lacks half title. Occasional light foxing; small corner tear to 173 and 263; tideline to fore-edge margin from 577 to end. Vol. VI: lacks half title. 2.4 inch closed tear to 273 intruding to text; slight loss to lower corner 557; tear to second last leaf. Errata for volumes IV, V, VI at rear. Retains original blank front and rear. Both boards detached. Generally a clean set despite the aforementioned; and one of the first 500.

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.