Gibbon, Edward

6 volumes, 4to, FIRST AND EARLY EDITIONS (volume 1: second edition, with preface dated 1 June 1776; volumes 2-6: first edition), half-titles, portrait frontispiece dated 1780 in volume one, 3 folding maps in volume 2, cancel leaves G1 (signed *G) and Ll1 (signed *L1) in volume 2, and H3 (so signed) and L2 (signed *L2) in volume 4, errata leaf at end of volume 3, errata for volumes 4-6 at end of volume 6 on verso of 4U1, final blank at end of volume 6, contemporary calf, speckled edges, lacking leaves a1-a4 in vol. 5, some repairs to spines, some minor spots of soiling to boards, occasional spotting (particularly to pp.415-428 in vol. 2) (6)

Sir William Forbes, bookplate

The Forbes Baronetcy was created in 1626 for Sir William Forbes (d. circa 1650) by James VI in the Barontage of Nova Scotia. The majority of the works offered here were acquired by the sixth Baronet, also William (1739-1806), who added Pitsligo to his title in 1781. He was an eminent Scottish banker and benefactor, good friend of James Boswell and Samuel Johnson (see lots 45-46), and finally succeeded in recovering the Pitsligo estates forfeited after the Jacobite rebellion of 1745. His son William, the seventh baronet, beat Sir Walter Scott to the hand of the renowned beauty Williamina Belsches Stuart (1776-1810), and it was with their marriage that the family moved to her family seat, Fettercairn House in Kincardineshire, Aberdeenshire.

ESTC T78357, T78362, T78360 and T78365; PMM 222; Rothschild 942 

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The third of the folding maps here bound in volume two ("A Map of the Western Part of the Roman Empire") is more usually found in volume three. The 12 pages of contents and the portrait frontispiece in volume one were issued with the first edition of the second volume.