Plinius Secundus, Gaius

Super-Royal folio (420 x 268mm.), 350 leaves (of 358), [a¹² b⁸; c-h¹⁰ i¹² k-p¹⁰ q⁸ r-z & [us] [rum] aa¹⁰ bb⁶ cc-dd¹⁰ ee-ii⁸ kk¹⁰ ll¹²], 50 lines,  roman type, 2- and 3-line initials in blue or red with printed guides, some initials rubricated in colours and gold, others in red and blue, start of preface with large gold initial L with white vine stem decoration on a ground of blue, green and pink with decoration extending along inner and lower margins and a coat of arms within a laurel wreath at foot, the start of each book with a large initial in gold with white vine stem decoration on a blue, pink and green ground, early marginalia, early nineteenth-century diced russia with gilt fillet border, spine gilt in compartments, lacking 8 leaves (5 text leaves [r]8-10, [t]10 and [y]1 (with illuminated initial) and three blanks), occasional light foxing, [s]1-4 repaired at foot with small hole in [s]2 with loss of a few letters, [v]1-2 torn and repaired with loss of one letter on [v]1, [y]1v-2r soiled, rebacked retaining original spine (now worn and detaching)

G.S. Jenks, presented to him by his students William John and Debonnaire John Monson, 18 June 1842, then presented by Jenks's stepdaughter Mary Johnstone to the Burton Library on 12 April 1882, inscriptions on front flyleaf, together with a Latin poem by Jenks to the Monson boys and a letter from their father to Jenks (18 June 1842) about the book, and three letters from Mary Johnstone addressed to Lord Monson in 1882 when she sent him the book.

Goff P788; HC 13089; BMC v 172; Bod-inc P-360; GW M34326

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."

Third edition, previously printed by Johannes de Spira in 1469 and Sweynheym and Pannartz in 1470; the text here is that of the 1470 edition, and printed in Jenson's famously elegant Roman type.

At the head of the preface, Pliny's appellation of "Novocomensis" (of Como) has been amended to "Veronensis" (of Verona).