The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

First edition, first state of Gibbon's "masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style" (PMM). Quarto, six volumes, bound in modern half calf over marbled boards by Bayntun-Riviere with morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, gilt ruling to the spine in six compartments within raised bands, all edges speckled red, engraved frontispiece portrait of Gibbon by John Hall after Sir Joshua Reynolds in Vol. II, three 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. Strahan predicted the popularity of Gibbon's History 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. L4 restored at gutter with small loss to the text, light dampstaining to the frontispiece portrait, contemporary ownership inscription to the first title trimmed by the binder. In near fine condition. A very nice example.