The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Gibbon, Edward

London: 1782, 1787 and 1788: for A. Strahan; and T. Cadell;. Quarto. In six volumes. New edition of volumes 1-3 and first editions of volumes 4-6. There was only one edition of the last three volumes dated 1788 and were issued at the same time. A new edition of the first three volumes together was announced on March 5, 1782. There are no volumes II or III bearing the date 1782 as there must have been sufficient copies of the earlier printing to satisfy the demand until 1787. The edition of vol. I with this date is genuinely a new edition with the type differently set from that of the fourth edition. Vol. I. Frontispiece, vii, [1]pp. advertisement,[12]pp. contents, two large folding maps, [1]-704pp., Vol. II: A New Edition. 1787. Half-title. [7]pp table of contents, [1]2-640pp., full page map of the parts of Europe and Asia adjacent to Constantinople dated 1781. Vol.III. A New Edition. 1787. Half-title.[7]pp. table of contents, [1]2-640pp. Vol. IV. 1788. First edition. Half-title. viii preface, [7]pp. table of contents, [1]2-620pp. Vol. V. 1788. First edition. Half-title. [8]pp. table of contents, [1]2-684pp. Vol VI. 1778. First edition. Half-title, (9)pp. table of contents, [1]2-646, [51]pp. general index, [1]pp. errata. To vol. IV, V and VI. This work by Gibbon is the only historical narrative prior to Macaulay which continues to be reprinted and actually read today. [PMM; *223). All bound in full contemporary calf, flat spines ruled and decorated in gilt, double blue spine labels gilt, early rebacking and renewed corners and endpapers beautifully done, occasional spots of foxing. A very handsome set.