First Edition Three-Volume Set of 'The French Revolution' by Thomas Carlyle

This is a complete three-volume set of the first edition of 'The French Revolution: A History' by Thomas Carlyle, originally published in 1837. The volumes are bound in full tan or light brown calf leather, typical of high-quality 19th-century private library bindings. Each spine is elaborately decorated with ornate gilt-tooled floral and geometric patterns within six raised-band compartments. The second and fourth compartments of each spine contain title and volume information: the top labels appear to indicate 'History' while the lower labels clearly state 'The French Revolution'. The leather shows a distinctive aged patina with visible rubbing and wear consistent with its mid-19th-century origin. Notable condition issues include minor scuffing at the head and foot of the spines, slight cracking along the joints (hinges), and general surface abrasions to the gilding. Despite these signs of use, the bindings remain structurally sound and represent a prestigious example of Victorian-era fine bookbinding. The craftsmanship is evident in the precision of the gold leaf tooling and the uniform texture of the leather. This set is a significant historical and literary artifact, marked by its transition from a radical historical narrative to a cornerstone of English literature.