Description:

Edward Gibbon, Author of "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire", Consumes Beef, Mutton, Veal, & Bread Puddings

Historian Edward Gibbon (1737-1794) consumes high-fat staples of British cuisine about two years before the first volume of his well-known history was released!

A 1p invoice inscribed in a clerical hand, circa late November 1774, revealing what the renowned British scholar liked for his meals. Docketed verso. With expected light paper folds, else near fine. Ex Ray V. Denslow (see biography below.)

In part, with unchanged spelling and punctuation: "Novb: 25 1774 To Cash paid James Bone for Beef Mutton + Veal --------- 1 : 12 : 4 To Do for Bread puddings et ------------------------------------------------ _" 16 : 2 2 : 8 : 6." Edward Gibbon's most celebrated work was "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" (London, Strahan & Cadell, published in six volumes between 1776-1788). Gibbon's chronicle was ambitious: it covered 1,500 years of history, from the late Roman Empire to the fall of Byzantium. The set proved wildly popular and secured Gibbon's fame. Proponents of the work lauded his meticulous research, elegant writing, and chatty annotations.

Gibbon, who was educated at Oxford and at Lausanne, Switzerland, had begun writing histories in the mid-1760s. Gibbon had almost certainly gained his first Parliament seat when this bill from a merchant named Richard Patrick was drafted; he represented constituents of Liskeard in Cornwall between 1774-1780.

Provenance Ray V. Denslow (1885-1960), a fourth generation Freemason, and internationally renowned Masonic historian, having written over 20 full volumes and 62 booklets on Masonic subjects. He held extensive positions as a Freemason over his lifetime including Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter R.A.M. of Missouri and as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, A.F.& A.M. of Missouri. Perhaps his greatest national honor was that of serving as General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, from 1942-46. He was Grand Master of the Knights of the York Cross of Honor in 1949; Grand Sovereign of the Red Cross of Constantine in 1943; Grand Chancellor of the Grand College of Rites; Great Prior of the Chevaliers Bienfaisants de la Cité Sainte, U.S.A. in 1952; and Grand Abbot of the Society of Blue Friars at the time of his death. He held almost 100 honorary memberships in Masonic groups stretching from France to the Philippines.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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