The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
London: S.A. and H. Gody, 1809. Frontispiece, xvi, foldout map, 384p: frontispiece, xii, foldout map, 419p: x, foldout map, 416p: engraved title page, x, 390p, [2]: x, 423p: engraved title page, 388p: engraved title page xi, 443p: engraved title page, xii, 392p: engraved title page, xi, 392p. Contemporary calf with gilt ruled boards and spines. The "working set" from the Library of the English essayist and literary critic William Hazlitt (1778-1830), best known for his Shakespearian criticism, with his signature "Hazlitt" on the inside front board in volume IV. Also, from the library of his son, William Hazlitt Jr (1811-1893) with his book plate on the inside front board in seven of the nine volumes. The book plate is missing in volume four and revealed the father's signature behind the glue residue. Considering the significant amount of Gibbon reprints listed in just Lowndes, Gibbon as a prose writer was clearly an important fixture among serious readers and writers in 19th century Great Britain. There are references to Gibbon in William Hazlitt's work, most notably in his "Spirit of the Age" where he infers that he knows Gibbon better than Lamb. Another reference to Gibbon appears in his Essay On Criticism while discussing Swift's prose style.William Hazlitt Jr was a journalist and barrister at law as well as the author of the Classical Gazetter. There are marginal annotations in pencil in particularly in volumes II & III. See images. The bookplate was identified as belonging to William Hazlitt Jr through kind assistance by Beinecke Library by comparing with a book with a known Hazlitt Jr bookplate. The bookplate is present in 7 of the 9 volumes. It is missing in volumes IV and VI. Underneath some of the remaining glue residue is the name "Hazlitt" written in a contemporary hand. It matches with a signature on a document John Paul Getty Museum. Hinges to all the volumes are cracked but holding. The boards on three volumes have been re-attached. A leaf torn in volume III and a three in volume viii but while it impacts the text, there is no loss. Scattered foxing throughout in all volumes. A reasonably well preserved "working set" An historically important provenance from the library of an important 19th century literary critic and essayist. Item #10407
Price: $2,000.00