The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. A New Edition. In Twelve Volumes

London: Printed for A. Strahan and T. Caddell, Jun. And W. Davies, in the Strand , 1797. The complete twelve volume set of Gibbon's "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire", the "New Edition", published 1797. With engraved frontispiece and folding map of the Parts of Europe & Asia adjacent to Constantinople, and large folding map of the Western part of the Roman Empire in volume I; and folding map volume II, being the Eastern part of the Roman Empire. Bound in contemporary marbled calf with old rebacking and recent professional restorations to caps and corners, now in custom mylar sleeves. Near Fine, widely scattered moderate toning throughout, a quite handsome and solid set. With excellent historical provenance, bearing the armorial bookplates and ownership signatures ("Edward Cooper Hodge from T.W. 1830") in each volume. Edward Cooper Hodge (General Sir) (1810 - 1894), was a British Army officer who as a Lieutenant-Colonel commanded the 4th (Royal Irish) Regiment of Dragoon Guards in the immortal "Charge of the Heavy Brigade" at the Battle of Balaclava. He was subsequently placed in command of the 5th Dragoon Guards, and later rose to the rank of General. Hodge later gifted this set to John Parr Welsford, a British banker and merchant. A heavy and oversize set that will require additional shipping charges for priority and international mail orders - please inquire.. New Edition. Marbled Calf. Near Fine. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.