G.M. Trevelyan's copy
GIBBON, Edward. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire … A New Edition. London: Printed for Cadell & Davies et al. 1807.
8vo. 12 vols. Contemporary full mottled calf, gilt borders to sides, spines with gilt rules and two black gilt morocco lettering pieces, marbled endpapers, all edges marbled; a little rubbing to spines, front hinges tender, generally very clean, very good.
New edition, from the library of one of the early twentieth century's finest historians.
The most celebrated historical work in English literature. "Gibbon's great erudition, breadth of treatment, and powerful organization render this a lasting monument, of substantial accuracy as well as elegance … most of Gibbon's scholarship remains unchallenged" (Oxford Companion to English Lit.). "This masterpiece of historical penetration and literary style has remained one of the ageless historical works" (PMM 222). In 1788 Gibbon's friend Adam Smith wrote that "by the universal assent of every man of taste and learning. [Decline and Fall] sets you at the very head of the whole literary tribe at present existing in Europe" (ODNB). Because of its role in explaining the role Christianity played in "weakening" the Roman Empire, Gibbon's magnum opus landed on the Papal Index and remained there until the Index librorum prohibitorum was abolished in 1966.
Provenance: Each volume signed to fly-leaf "G.M. Trevelyan/ Hallington/ 1929." Trevelyan (1876-1962) was one of the most distinguished historians of his time. A Fellow, and later Master, of Trinity College, Cambridge and, in retirement, Chancellor of Durham University, he had a long and distinguished career as a Whig historian very much in Gibbon's tradition - opinionated, partisan and convinced of the world's progress towards enlightenment. Hallington Hall in Northumberland was one of the Trevelyans' homes, along with the confusingly similarly named Wallington Hall seven miles down the road. In 1929, when he acquired this set, he was working on his most significant work England Under Queen Anne, which was published the following year.
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