GIBBON, Edward (1737-1794). The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. London: for W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1776-1788.

First edition, first state of a "masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style" (PMM). Gibbon's sweeping six-volume history covers the years 98 to 1590, and its enduring popularity has resulted in his Enlightenment-era perspective still being the dominant narrative about the Roman Empire to the present day. The publisher Strahan predicted the popularity of the work and doubled the print run from 500 to 1000 copies during the publication process, entailing the resetting of some sheets. Vol. I is in the first state, with the cancellans leaves as described by Rothschild and the errata uncorrected. The gatherings *a, *b, and the author portrait are bound in the second volume. Grolier English 58; PMM 222; Rothschild 942.

Six volumes, quarto (257 x 206mm). Engraved frontispiece portrait in vol. II, 3 engraved folding maps, half-titles in vols. I-III and V, all 4 errata leaves (lacking half-titles in vols. IV and VI, vol. I with half-title and l4 restored at gutter with minor loss of text to the latter, repaired closed tears in first and last few leaves, a few into text, frontispiece partly stained, small marginal chip at gutter of 4M1 of vol. III, closed tear into text in 4I2 in vol. V, variable spotting and browning). Modern half calf over marbled boards by Bayntun Riviere, red and green morocco spine labels lettered in gilt. Provenance: ?Stewart, Temple (contemporary ownership inscription on first title trimmed by the binder).