The photos of the lot are informative and indicative, and cannot provide a highly detailed view of the object from all angles. We recommend a careful physical inspection of the lot before bidding.
The photos of the lot are informative and indicative, and cannot provide a highly detailed view of the object from all angles. We recommend a careful physical inspection of the lot before bidding.
147. "Istoria declinului și prăbușirii Imperiului Roman" ("The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire"), by Edward Gibbon, eight volumes, London, 1887.
Selling price
Pretul de pornire si cel estimat nu sunt preturi de vanzare efective
EUR 1.524
Session
Thu, 23 March 2023 19:00
Between 1776 and 1788, English historian Edward Gibbon (1737-1794) published the six volumes of the first edition of a work which was bound to become a classic masterpiece, edited several times, studied, renowned, sought by specialists and bibliophiles. After a short study period at the University of Oxford, he abandons it, disappointed by the excessive Protestant rigour. As a gesture of rebellion, he converts to Catholicism, but he enters a conflict with his own father, who sends him to study in Lausanne, Switzerland, hoping for him to reconvert to Protestantism. His stay in Switzerland brought him close to the French language, which he embraces, and which allowed him to study the editions in French of literary classics and European philosophies. A history enthusiast, he would direct himself towards the study of the Roman Empire, also with the help of a good knowledge of Latin, which allowed him to research the native Roman resources. In 1776, he published the first volume of his work, very well received by specialists, and which opened his path to academic excellence, after having become a member of the London Parliament two years before. Until 1788, the other volumes were issued as well. The synthesis is remarkable thanks to a very thorough study of primary resources, a contextualisation of the causes leading to the fall of the Roman dominance, but also thanks to a style that was accessible to a broader educated public. The eight current volumes are part of the edition issued in London in 1887, edited by Dean Milman, M. Guizot and William Smith. On the title page counterpart, the first volume contains an engraved portrait of the author, executed by E. Scriven after a famous oil portrait, painted by Jushua, and each volume contains maps in black and white, as well as in colour. The eight volumes are elegantly bound in a vintage leather binding, with its back divided into six sections, of which four are decorated with stylized vegetable motifs. The current specimen is outstanding thanks to the presence of the following elements: on the main cover, there is the coat of arms of Prince Consort Albert, husband of Empress Victoria of Great Britain, and on the secondary cover, there is the coat of arms of the famous Eton College from Great Britain.
Dimensions
custom 22,5 x 15 cm (fiecare)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For clarifications regarding the bidding procedure, hammer price costs, guarantee, payment, and collection terms for the winning lot, we recommend carefully reading/re-reading the Bidding Regulations.
For additional information regarding the lot and the auction, please contact the Art Consultants Department.
Detalii
Between 1776 and 1788, English historian Edward Gibbon (1737-1794) published the six volumes of the first edition of a work which was bound to become a classic masterpiece, edited several times, studied, renowned, sought by specialists and bibliophiles. After a short study period at the University of Oxford, he abandons it, disappointed by the excessive Protestant rigour. As a gesture of rebellion, he converts to Catholicism, but he enters a conflict with his own father, who sends him to study in Lausanne, Switzerland, hoping for him to reconvert to Protestantism. His stay in Switzerland brought him close to the French language, which he embraces, and which allowed him to study the editions in French of literary classics and European philosophies. A history enthusiast, he would direct himself towards the study of the Roman Empire, also with the help of a good knowledge of Latin, which allowed him to research the native Roman resources. In 1776, he published the first volume of his work, very well received by specialists, and which opened his path to academic excellence, after having become a member of the London Parliament two years before. Until 1788, the other volumes were issued as well. The synthesis is remarkable thanks to a very thorough study of primary resources, a contextualisation of the causes leading to the fall of the Roman dominance, but also thanks to a style that was accessible to a broader educated public. The eight current volumes are part of the edition issued in London in 1887, edited by Dean Milman, M. Guizot and William Smith. On the title page counterpart, the first volume contains an engraved portrait of the author, executed by E. Scriven after a famous oil portrait, painted by Jushua, and each volume contains maps in black and white, as well as in colour. The eight volumes are elegantly bound in a vintage leather binding, with its back divided into six sections, of which four are decorated with stylized vegetable motifs. The current specimen is outstanding thanks to the presence of the following elements: on the main cover, there is the coat of arms of Prince Consort Albert, husband of Empress Victoria of Great Britain, and on the secondary cover, there is the coat of arms of the famous Eton College from Great Britain.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For clarifications regarding the bidding procedure, hammer price costs, guarantee, payment, and collection terms for the winning lot, we recommend carefully reading/re-reading the Bidding Regulations.
For additional information regarding the lot and the auction, please contact the Art Consultants Department.
Dimensions
custom 22,5 x 15 cm (fiecare)
Similar lots
153. "Getica. O protoistorie a Daciei" ("Getica. A Protohistory of Dacia"), by Vasile Pârvan, first edition, Bucharest, 1926
Starting price
EUR 150
Sold
EUR 400
97. "Dacia și Moesia" ("Dacia and Moesia") map by Abraham Ortelius, Orbis Terrarum edition, Antwerp, 1595
Starting price
EUR 400
Sold
EUR 400