The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. London: W. Strahan and T. Cadell, 1776-1788.
6 volumes. 4to (265 x 205 mm). Half-titles. Engraved portrait and three folding maps. Modern calf antique, a.e.g. Some gatherings lightly toned, scattered light spotting, spines dry, lightly rubbed.

FIRST EDITION, second state with errata corrected through p 183. "The book sold with great rapidity. The first edition of volume 1—which almost at the last minute Strahan had ordered to be doubled in size from 500 to 1000 copies—was exhausted 'in a few days'.... From the chorus of praise, the admiration of Adam Ferguson, Joseph Warton, and Horace Walpole must have been deeply gratifying. It was, however, David Hume's letter of congratulation which according to Gibbon 'overpaid the labour of ten years'" (ODNB). Grolier English 58; Rothschild 942.