The Historie Of The World: Commonly called, The Naturall Historie Of C. Plinius Secundus. Translated into English by Philemon Holland Doctor of Physicke. The first Tome. (second Tombe.)
London,: Printed by Adam Islip, and are to be sold by Iohn Grismond, in Ivy-lane at the Signe of the Gun., 1635. (1634.)
Physical Description
2 vols.; 335 mm. (Folio, in sixes).
General Note
Vol. I: [54], 614, [38] p. - Vol. II: [10], 632, [80] p. In some sets (including that of the Royal Academy) the two volumes are bound in one.
Contents
Vol. I: [T.p., dedic.] - The Preface to the Reader - The copie of the siad letter, written as touching the Translation of Plinie - The First Booke Of The Historie Of Nature, Written By C. Plinius Secundus. The Preface or Epistle Dedicatorie to Prince Vespasia ... - The Inventorie Or Index Containing The Contents Of XXXVII Books ... - [Text] - An Index pointing to the principall matters contained in the first Tome .... - Vol. II: [T.p.] - To The Reader - A briefe Catalogue of the words of Art, with the Explanation thereof - [Text] - An Index pointing to the principall matters contained in the second Tome ... - An Advertisement.
Responsibility Note
No decoration is signed.
The dedication is a reprint of the translator's original dedication to Sir Robert Cecil.
References
ESTC, S103160
RIBA, Early printed books, vol. 5 (2003), no. 4059, p. 2743 [on 1634 ed.].
Pliny the elder, A critical edition of Book 37 of Pliny's Naturalis Historia, ed. D.A. Wright (2001)
Pliny the elder, The Elder Pliny's chapters on the history of art (1896; rev. 1968; 2/1977) La sculpture grecque: sources littérarires et épigraphiques, ed. M. Muller-Dufeu (2001);
J.J. Pollitt, The ancient view of Greek art: criticism, history and terminology (1974).
Summary Note
The imprint of the second Tome reads, 'London, Printed by Adam Islip, 1634'.
In books 33-37 of his Natural History Pliny turns to the use of minerals in medicine and in the arts, and, drawing on earlier writers, provides an account of ancient European art. Book 33 treats of gold and silver; 34, of bronze; 35, of painting; 36, of marble; 37, of gems.
Reproductions
A microfilm version was published in 1970 (Ann Arbor, Mich.: Univerrsity Microfilms International).
Provenance
Acquired between 1769 and 1802. Recorded in RAA Library, Catalogue, 1802.
Copy Note
The title page of the first Tome is inscribed in ink, 'R: Bathe semper Eadem'. The fore-edge is inscribed, 'Plym'.
Binding Note
17th-century calf; rebacked in 20th century, retaining earlier spine-label lettered 'Plinie's Naturall History'.
Subject
Natural history - Art, Greek - Art, Roman - Rome - History
Art history - Art criticism, Roman - Latin literature - Rome - 1st century
Translations into English - Translations from Latin - Great Britain - 17th century