Pliny, the Elder.
Title: C. Plinij Secundi Veronensis Historiae naturalis libri xxxvij / aptissimis figuris exculti ; ab Alexa[n]dro Benedicto Ve. physico emendatiores redditi.
[Colophon : Impressus Venetiis summa diligentia : Per Melchiorem Sessam, Anno reconciliate Natiuitatis. M.D. XIII. Die XX Augusti.]
Physical Description: 14 p. l., 219 leaves : ill. ; 32 cm.
Acquired through the Stanford University Bookstore Fund.
First illustrated edition of Pliny’s highly influential Natural History, with thirty-seven woodcut illustrations which were specially designed for this text, one at the head of each book. A small column is found in three of the illustrations, probably used as the signature of the artist (perhaps a member of the Colonna family). Pliny’s work is an important encyclopedia of natural science; the illustrations are wide-ranging and include numerous depictions of the animal world (elephants, giraffes, camels, marine creatures, insects, etc.) as well as various illustrations of agricultural pursuits (including the growing of vines and beekeeping), mineral baths, and medical practices.