ROBERTSON, William (1721--1793)
The history of the reign of the Emperor Charles V. With a view of the progress of society in Europe, from the subversion of the Roman Empire, to the beginning of the sixteenth century. In four volumes. By William Robertson, D.D. ... The second edition. ...
London: printed for W. Strahan; T. Cadell; and J. Balfour, at Edinburgh, 1772.
4 vols ; 21.4 cm. (8º)
I: xv, [1], 474, [22] p., engr. frontis. port.
II: [4], 412 p., engr. frontis. port.
III: [4], 491 [i.e. 498] p., engr. frontis. port.
IV: [4], 371, [85] p., engr. frontis. port.

First edition 1769. The work that established Robertson's European reputation and associated the Scottish Enlightenment with historical writing. It was also financially one of the most profitable books of the eighteenth century, earning the author £4,000 in seven contemporary editions. See W. Howard & W. Zachs, The celebrated Doctor Robertson, Edinburgh University Library, 1993, p. 18. The frontispieces are portraits of the author, Charles V, Francis I of France, and the death of Charles V. Last page of vol. III misnumbered 491. Final leaf of vol. I advertises 'Books printed for T. Cadell, ...'. ESTC t78984.

Copy Notes Volume I front free-endpaper inscribed in pencil in the hand of the bookseller Thomas Boone 4 Vols =16s- and xkf, and with an earlier bookseller's code in ink.

Binding C18th calf, gilt-tooled spine, red and black morocco spine-labels.

Reference Number 677